The Mineral Museum on the campus of Montana Tech (formerly the Montana School of Mines) has several gemstone displays.
Montana’s State Gemstones
Sapphire, the gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, became one of Montana’s state gemstones in 1969 along with Montana agates. Agates are a variety of chalcedony (quartz).
Faceted Gemstones
These are from the Stephanie S. Walker collection.
Little Gem Amethyst Mine
The Little Gem Amethyst Mine occurs within the Cretaceous Boulder Batholith which crystallized between 78 and 74 million years ago.
More Museum Displays
Museums 101: California Gems and Minerals (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Gems and Minerals as Art (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Hixon Gem Vault (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: South American Gems and Minerals (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Gem and Mineral Hall (Photo Diary)
Mineral Museum: Polished Specimens (Photo Diary)
Mineral Museum: Meteorites (Photo Diary)
Mineral Museum: Bisbee Copper Minerals (Photo Diary)