The South Dakota Store is the sole distributor of Missouri River Sapphires. Most people don't know that 60% of the world's sapphires come from the Missouri River. Or that sapphires come in every color of the rainbow. Or that sapphires are the second hardest substance known to man, but are actually the crystalline form of one of the most malleable metals, aluminum. Missouri River Sapphires are an American treasure only at the SD Store. As of this year, MRS is the largest producer of sapphires in the Americas). § In the past, world-class sapphires from the Missouri River have typically been shipped directly to Antwerp, Belgium, the world’s gem capitol, or to places like Taiwan to be color-graded and cut, and then enter the world sapphire market, distributed under a great number of names and exotic disguises. § Sapphires are much rarer than diamonds, and second only to diamonds in hardness. § The sapphire (corundum) is the crystalline form of aluminum (aluminum is very soft and its crystalline form is the second hardest material). § Corundum is the mineral name. There are two species of corundum – ruby and sapphire. (Of the four major gemstones [diamond, sapphire, ruby, emerald], two are corundum) The ruby is a pigeon-blood-red version of corundum. § A sapphire will cut through a steel. Corundum (pulverized sapphires) provides the abrasive surface of most grinding wheels. § Deep blue (called “inky blue”) is the most common sapphire, and most people associate this color with sapphires. The dark blue is actually a lower grade than the cornflower blue sapphire, for example. Sapphires come in every color of the rainbow (Missouri River Sapphires are distinguished in the completeness of their colors). § The most valuable sapphire is the lotus blossom, which is orange with a pink blush. § There are three levels of quality: 1) gem quality 2) cabbed or 3) usable for beads and other lower-end jewelry. The stones pushing a carat - about 5 ½ to 6 mm in diameter – are the ones that end up in jewelry stores. § Many of the best sapphires originate in the Three Forks area (known well to Lewis and Clark scholars and trail travelers) south of Helena. This will be the last year of operation for Montana’s famous Yogo’s (mined by the British, now lease expires, and they will not renew). Gem Mountain is the other famous name among Montana mining claims – the only place where public can go and rockhound a sapphire. Historically, there were many areas, but now almost none where you can rockhound sapphires anymore. § The Missouri River Sapphire product line at the South Dakota Store will include everything from the $2 uncut crystal to the jewel-encrusted tennis bracelet with 40-45 high-grade gem stones.