Sapphire
Sapphires have been highly prized and desired for centuries and our obsession with them as a species goes as far back as 800 BC. Their excellent color arrangement, hardness, durability, and luster lend them to be excellent stones for jewelry and alternative engagement rings. They score a 9 on Mohs hardness scale just after diamonds.
Sapphires are available in almost all the colors of the rainbow except for the vibrant red which would be classified as a ruby instead. Perhaps the most rare and increasingly more popular is the Padparascha sapphire. It features a combination of two hues in a single stone (pink and orange) creating an enticing peachy hue.
While this gemstone is designated for the September birthstone, it’s safe to say it is extremely sought after and loved by many.
Another variety, the Star Sapphire, occurs when the stone exhibits an asterism inclusion that allows the appearance of a star shaped pattern within the stone. Emily has a deep admiration (and obsession with) the intense Orange Sapphires.