In 1996, W. Dan Hausel, geologist discovered iolite gneiss with gem-quality iolite nodules near ruby, sapphire & kyanite vermiculite schist at Palmer Canyon in the Laramie Range, Wyoming. This was followed by another discovery at Grizzly Creek in 2004 which included the largest iolite gems ever found on Earth. In the following year (2005) flawless iolites were found in the Sherman Mountains north of Laramie in what could be the largest gemstone deposit on the planet.