I have finally convinced S.O. that he needs to let go and design things for the sapphires we mined in Montana, and he showed me this today. Unfortunately, I now still have to convince him not to hoard it for himself like a damn dragon.
We went to Gem Mountain in Philipsburg. If you go during the right time of year, you can go to the mine itself, but even in the months the mine itself is closed, they haul gravel to the store location where you can wash/sift/hunt away. The folks there are incredibly nice, and they have a cutting service if you decide to get any of the bigger ones faceted.
@EricOlson
We went to Gem Mountain in Philipsburg. If you go during the right time of year, you can go to the mine itself, but even in the months the mine itself is closed, they haul gravel to the store location where you can wash/sift/hunt away. The folks there are incredibly nice, and they have a cutting service if you decide to get any of the bigger ones faceted.
And you *will* find sapphires.