World's Largest Sapphire:

    The “Blue Giant of the Orient", the world's largest sapphire, weighs 486.52 carats! It measures 2.5" in length, 1.75" wide and 3/4" thick. It was mined in Sri Lanka in 1907 and sold anonymously to an American collector. It spent nearly 100 years out of the limelight only to resurface at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, oddly going unpurchased. Later, a British collector brokered a deal and snatched it for a measly $1 million then the stone disappeared again! Now set in a platinum brooch encompassed by pavé-set diamonds it's where abouts today remain a mystery...

Montana Sapphires:

    Montana produces the USA's largest corundum (sapphires) supply. In 1874 gold prospectors discovered the gem, only to toss them aside as colorful pebbles until 1895 when mining them became lucrative. During WW2 their hardy strength were used in industrial abrasives and cutting purposes by the British. After the war, sapphires saw prominence again in the 90's when the advent of heat treatment produced the vibrant colors seen today.