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Missouri River Sapphires
Greg Polley
Specimen | Catalog Number | Locality | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Corundum (var. sapphire) | NMNH 177074 | United States, Montana |
Gift of Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collectors in 2014.
Natural (unheated/untreated) sapphire crystals from an important historic mining area in the U.S., the Missouri River deposit of Montana, were added to the National Gem and Mineral Collection. The Missouri River sapphires have a total weight of 419.39 carats and are shades of blue and green in color. This collection of natural sapphire crystals of substantial size and fine color are a major upgrade to the National Mineral Collection.