I realize this is long: all you really need to know is that Big Sky Gold is a GEM. If you are…read morelooking for a unique piece, do yourself a favor right now and start browsing through the offerings on Claire Baiz's blog. Need more reasons to reach out? She's ethical and eco-friendly (makes use of lots of beautiful estate jewelry), a registered wholesaler (explains the pricing advantages you need to see to believe), and very sophisticated in terms of style (don't take it from me, she has been known to source stones for the best of the retail jewelers, and I do not mean Zales) Claire is an absolute joy to work with. She is welcoming and highly perceptive in person, and peppers her witty emails with jokes and frank advice (no surprise she moonlights as a novelist/essayist). In fact, dealing with her was such a pleasure, I'm pretty sure she's won our business for life. I caught my fiance emailing her a week or two ago about getting a pair of matching earrings (my ears aren't pierced, go figure!) New Yorkers -- she's a huge fan, and works out of the city for a few months every year! For my story, read on: A rather funny series of events left me wearing a $15.99 CZ engagement ring from overstock.com that was so outlandishly oversized that I would bruise the adjacent fingers if I ever tried to lift anything. But we wanted to do the real thing at some point, and an exploratory email was answered promptly with a surprising "you're in Manhattan, too?" and before long, I found myself face to face with Big Sky Gold's owner and founder, Claire Baiz, over lunch in downtown NYC. I had come across her blog online in the midst of doing preliminary research on yogo sapphires, exclusive to Montana and a specialty of Big Sky Gold's. I didn't really want a diamond ring, and I loved that the cornflower-colored gems came from out West. But I don't know much about yogos, or diamonds for that matter, and was thrilled to be able to talk to an expert on the sapphires... over here on the East Coast. Claire is vegan and gluten-free (and a walking advertisement for the benefits of the lifestyle) so we met up at Hale & Hearty. First she looked at my finger... and the fake. The setting was much too high, she told me, as she spread out informational materials and the "Sears Roebuck" catalog of settings (designed for wholesalers). I began gushing about yogos and my seething jealousy of everyone who lives within sight of the Rocky Mountains. She asked about my lifestyle, my family, my interests. Then we got to talking about budget. After two meetings and around 10 emails, we parted with her reassurance: "I have something in mind for you. I'll email you the details when I get back to Great Falls." Within days the ring of my dreams was assembled (in theory) from two yogos (taken from a pair of earrings) and an ideal cut diamond in a platinum setting, for a price you would not believe. We absolutely could not have found such a perfect ring (not to mention in such a short amount of time) without Claire. It's on my hand now and I (and who would have guessed, my fiance too) could not be happier or prouder? (Can we be proud? We feel proud...) From me and my fiance: a VERY big thank you, Claire!

For 23 years, this was my business. I'm humbled by he five-star rating, an unbiased endorsement…read morefrom great clients. I'm posting a Yelp review just to let everyone know the business is closed. I am not actively buying, selling, or evaluating fine jewelry. If you happen to be a former client, please "like" Big Sky Gold on Facebook--I'm posting important updates (a recent G.I.A. certificate scandal!) and tips (how to sell your fine jewelry) or follow me on HubPages, where my handle is 'baizblogger'.

Stopped in Great Falls overnight and ran across the Blue Rose, what a beautiful boutique. Tracey…read morehelped us and her clothing selection is Fantastic from AG to Mother Jeans and has endless selection of brands the store is definitely on par with any store in Bellevue Washington what a great find will definitely be travelling ext year to Montana and Yellowstone.Thank You Diane & Melissa M

My girlfriend, Jane raved about this oasis for 3 days....and she is fussy X100. She says it can…read morehold it's own with any 6th ave Seattle shop any day. danny mangold/seattle

Prices are crazy high for chairs or a bed side end table…read more Stairs going up but no elevator for the elderly

Great service, good prices, and fantastic selection. They really took care of my brother who needed…read morehis old BarcaLounger hauled off, they thru that in for $25, and the delivery of the new chair was free - pretty rare these days!

The salesperson was the sweetest and was just so helpful. Excellent quality of merchandise, great…read morevariety. So glad I found this treasure!!

I really like Sole Sisters. It's a cute boutique with a good selection of clothing pieces you…read morewouldn't find as fast fashion, which I really like. The ladies are very friendly here as well - helpful and just a very pleasant experience every time I go into town to shop.

This review is for their on-line store…read more I admit I was a little apprehensive about buying from this place online, since it is a small store in a small town--was this really legit? But since they had reviews on Yelp and I could see there was a physical store on Google Maps, I decided to give it a try. And I am glad I did. I got a Patagonia jacket on sale, and because it was more than $50 shipping was free (via USPS). The item arrived within a day that it was promised--and it was exactly what I ordered. Thanks Trout Shop!!

The trout shop is truly one of a kind. Not only did they provide expert information. They were…read morewilling to help us when needed. To be honest, they saved our lives...at a point where we felt that no one was there for us. The trout shop was. Anytime I am on the Missouri river near Craig, I will be stopping in. No one does like them.

I came here hoping to learn about something I was interested in and was trying as part of my…read moremedical regimen. After listening to the clerk talk about Toyota's with a previous customer for 10 minuets I approached the counter. After only 3 minuets the clerk (A balding heavyset individual) informed me that he was done with me, I tried to explain it to you and you won't listen " I began to tell him I only had questions and don't understand the problem when he informed me that "Your done, get out!" As a veteran on disability I know a lot of people who use the products they sell there and I will tell every single one of them to never darken their door. Stay away from this place, there are other choices in town.

From the owner: We sell glass, smoking utensils, tie dye, t-shirts, and adult toys. We also have the biggest…read moreselection of incense in town!

I love the personal service Inge and Miranda provide. Their clothes are soooo unique and cute and…read moreevery time I go in, they have new things. Their prices are lower than department stores and the quality is great!

My wife loves this store and whenever we visit family in Great Falls, MT we always go to check out…read morethe latest additions! They have a great baby's clothing section that we now find things for our recently added granddaughter. There's a room dedicated to Montana stuff which is neat and refreshed routinely. Highly recommend this shop to anyone who's interested in unique and higher end stuff!!

I've been to Great Falls a few times and never realized what Dragonfly Goods actually offered…read more Today I spent an hour and half browsing through the entire store and wow, I love this store. Such a large and diverse collection of nice women's clothes of all types from formal to sporty casual. Also has kids, things for home and gifty items. I love the Liverpool brand too which ranges from casual to smart professional. The prices may be a bit high for this area but this is a great place to find a new outfit!

Great small town weekly newspaper. Informative, and well written. Thanks Felicia for you efforts…read morekeeping this going.

From the owner: Provide weekly news to the community of Cascade and beyond.read more