w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m
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SAPPHIRES ARE THE GEMSTONE OF ROYALTY
dating back to the Romans and Greeks; Jewish
traditions hold that the Ten Commandments were
engraved on sapphire tablets. Some may be legend
or myth, but there's no denying that sapphires have
an air of mystery and magic, not unlike Montana.
The major deposits found in Montana are in the
Yogo Gulch in central Montana, the Missouri River
near Helena, Dry Cottonwood Creek near Deer Lodge,
and the Rock Creek deposit in the Sapphire Mountains
near Philipsburg. I went out on the road to find the story
of the yogo sapphire, and in my journey and research I
discovered more than I imagined. It had me looking at
the little gem with more admiration—and left me with
more questions.
I pulled up early in front of the Sweet Palace/Sapphire
Gallery in Philipsburg, Montana. The aroma of fresh coffee
coming out the front door into the crisp morning air was
hard to resist, so I wandered into the candy store, hoping
someone might take pity on me and offer a cup of freshly
brewed coffee. The lady behind the counter smiled and asked
if I would like some, and I sheepishly said yes.
words and photos by HALLIE ZOLYNSKI
T h e
S a p p h i r e
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