Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-07-26

lieved TO be the result of molten ig-
neous rock which boiled up through
crack in the earth (hence the dyke)
and dissolved particles Of clay, shale
and impure limestone In its ascent. BY
reason of the terrific heat and pres
sure, these we're transformed and upon
cooling crystallized out as sapphires
That partial reabsorption has taken
place Is evidenced by the corroded
surface of some sapphires and the
fact that many are surrounded by q
blackish crust.
A parallel dyke Of similar material,
but bearing no sapphires is located
about 600 feet north Of the sapphire
Ndyke.
Next to Diamond
Next to the diamond, the sapphire
is the hardest substance In the world.
Because Of this characteristic, many
small and off-color stones can be used
for jewel holds, bearings for watches,
clocks, delicate machinery, and scien-
tific instruments, as well as phono-
graph recording, reproducing sound
boxes, and other mechanical purposes
such as wire recording where an I'M
wearing surface Is required.
The Montana sapphires range in
color from the palest shades Of steel
blue to the lovely 'cornflower" or royal
blue of very fine specimens. Until the
discovery Of Montana claims, this
shade was associated only with the
sapphires Of Burma, Kashmir, Ceylon
and Siam.
The Montana sapphire has, however,
two characteristics which other sap
phires do not possess-the color B al
ways evenly distributed throughout the
stone, and it is bright and effective
by artificial light. Thus, Montana sap
phires match easily and for this reason
they now slrpass In value those from
other countries on account Of their
being commercially more economical
to handle from the manufacturing
jewelers. point Of view.
Montana sapphires are much better
known abroad than at home. They
were the gem chosen by Princess Mary
Of England and her royal highness,
the duchess Of York, as the principal
stone for their betrothal rings, and
sapphires more than any other gem
took first place among the many rare
and beautiful articles Of jewelry pre-
sented to them on the occasion Of
their marriages.
A cigar box fun Of gems collected
about the time Of their discovery is
said to have been sold TO Tiffany g.
Co. fer $3.50. From 100000 to 81
BOO 900 worth Of gems have been mined
and some Of the finest jewels have
brought as much as $500.
In 1891 the number Of carats ex-
sracted was $4,000, and since the mine
mad been In operation, 81, $1,000 worth
of gems had been placed on the mar
ret, stones sold In the rough for In
dustriaI purposes realizing a further |
Value Of 100000.
Another source states that outside
sstimates place the retail value OF
tnished stones taken from the Xogo /
mines between 100000 and $20,-
90 900. Crystals up to five carats have
zen found.
roM Gate Road
As stated before, the American mine
5 located on Yogo creek at the west
nd Of the lead, and the English mine
n the benchlands at the east end.
supplies were freighted IN from Utica,
small COW town started in 1875 by
prospectoE who, finding nothing tn
he hills, took up q homestead along
he Judith river.
Since the American mine Is located
ight In YOgo canyon, It was accessible
y only one freighting road, which
cached 1t by passing down into the
anyon through q narrow defile In the
ocky walls known as Toll gate, be-
ause In the early days Of the gold
amps saloon was located there and
Oh taken 10 keep the road open.
Life st the mines was very similar
other mining camps. The American
1tne. gika1nted at the junction Of