montana sapphires rock creek astynaxmontana sapphires rock creek astynax

Dealers at Tucson Gem Show Confirm Increasing Demand for Montana Sapphires


2 Minute Read

HomeLearning CenterGemologyGem and Jewelry NewsDealers at Tucson Gem Show Confirm Increasing Demand for Montana Sapphires

TUCSON — After a cancellation in 2021, the Tucson Gem Show returned to Arizona from February 10-13, 2022. The show, presented by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), featured some of the most impressive loose gemstones and elevated jewelry designs from producers and designers based around the globe.

montana sapphires rock creek astynax
This Rock Creek sapphire is greenish-blue, which is a typical color for this deposit. Photo by Astynax. Public domain.

One key takeaway from the gem show is that an unusually high number of dealers showcased loose Montana sapphires. "The general demand for Montana sapphires is hot, and it was our best-selling gemstone the first day of the show," says Jonathan Farnsworth. Farnsworth is the President of Parlè, which handles Montana sapphires - specifically, those originating from the Potentate Mine - at all levels of the supply chain including cutting, polishing, treating, and ultimately selling the gemstones.

Montana sapphires are found in the state of Montana primarily from four sources: Yogo Gulch, Dry Cottonwood Creek, Rock Creek, and the Missouri River. The rough product being mined comes in a wide variety of colors. Perhaps the most famous hues of Montana sapphires are deep cornflower blues, greenish blues and greenish yellows. These are the stones which were on display at the Tucson Gem Show this year. 

montant sapphire display
Display of Montana Sapphires from Parlè at AGTA./Emily Frontiere

Paul Dragone, president of Boston Gems, Inc., another exhibitor at AGTA, also had an impressive display of Montana sapphires. "The recent high demand for Montana sapphires in America, specifically, may be partly attributed to the fact that they are a domestic product. In short, Americans like to buy American," he says. 

Buyers may encounter different prices for similar Montana sapphires depending on whether the rough was processed domestically or abroad. Montana sapphires processed fully within the USA often are accompanied by a slightly higher price tag. This discrepancy may be due to higher wages paid to American workers. However, Dragone said that many consumers are willing to pay a bit more to be sure that their stones were processed according to the highest ethical standards. "Our goal at Boston Gems is to be fully transparent about where and how the gems were fashioned and how they are priced," says Dragone.

Large and significant rough - often considered anything over four carats, or measuring 6.5mm or larger in diameter - are usually processed in the USA. However, stones that size are relatively rare. Typically, the majority of the rough coming out of Montana is smaller and is sent abroad, primarily to Sri Lanka, to be cut, polished, and (if necessary) treated. "Larger, more impressive, rough is processed in the USA while smaller crystals are sent abroad," said Margit Thorndal of Madagascar Imports Ltd. 

Montana sapphire rough crystals are often quite shallow which can influence how stones are cut. However, Farnsworth has observed that cushion and hexagonal outlines are currently quite popular. This is fortuitous as both of those cuts are, by nature, flat and are great options for naturally thinner crystals. 

Having dealt with the gems for a long time, Ms. Thorndal feels that many designers have suddenly "discovered" the unique beauty of these sapphires in just the last few years. Fortunately, the demand for Montana sapphires is matched by its availability. Farnsworth estimates that his company processes six to seven pounds of the material every quarter, most of it through Sri Lanka.


Emily Frontiere

Emily Frontiere is a GIA Graduate Gemologist. She is particularly experienced working with estate/antique jewelry.

Related Articles

More Articles
Sapphire Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationThe Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Sapphire Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Few gems have held our attention over millennia as well as sapphire. The pure blue colors and excellent durability of...
Read More
A Step-Cut Montana Sapphire DesignJim Buday</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

A Step-Cut Montana Sapphire Design

Watch lapidarist Jim Buday facet a step-cut Montana sapphire design. This version of the traditional cut produces a very bright...
Read More
Sapphire Mining in Montana

Sapphire Mining in Montana

What’s sapphire mining like? Follow Jeff Moriarty of Moriarty’s Gem Art as he travels to Montana in search of amazing...
Read More
Gem Origin Opinions: When Gemology Labs Agree to Disagree on Sapphire Origins

Gem Origin Opinions: When Gemology Labs Agree to Disagree on Sapphire Origins

Why do gemology labs sometimes have different gem origin opinions, especially for sapphires? Learn the science and history behind the...
Read More

Latest Articles

More Articles
Classic Engagement Ring StonesPastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/news/2022/02/16/tucson-gem-show-increased-demand-montana-sapphires/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Classic Engagement Ring Stones

Emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond are the most popular choices for classic engagement ring stones. Learn more about these traditional...
Read More
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...
Read More
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationJoel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...
Read More
Gemstone Radiation TreatmentPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/news/2022/02/16/tucson-gem-show-increased-demand-montana-sapphires/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/news/2022/02/16/tucson-gem-show-increased-demand-montana-sapphires/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...
Read More

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!