If you and your partner are interested in a more alternative engagement ring style, we offer an extensive variety of colored stones to be used as the focal piece or decorative addition to your ring. Let us help guide you to the perfect colored stone for your dream ring that will withstand long-time wear while maintaining its vibrance and beauty.

One of our favorite colors bursting into the scene as of recently is the Padparadscha sapphire. This is the perfectly peachy stone so many modern brides are coveting.

Many gemologists agree that padparadschas straddle the color boundary between pink and orange. Some padparadscha sapphires are not evenly salmon colored, but rather color zoned with pink and yellow. We happen to love zoning in our stones, we think it gives them a unique and one of a kind flair.

Sunsets, lotus flowers and tropical fruits – the color range of a padparadscha falls within a mix of 2 colors: pink and orange. “Padparadscha” is an ancient sanskrit word used to describe the color of a tropical lotus flower. One of the rarest gemstones of the world, Padparadscha sapphires are in a color class all of their own.

Another fan favorite is the always gorgeous Montana Sapphire.  These Sapphires in the teal variety, display a mesmerizing marine hue, which are only found in the state of Montana in the United States.

Montana sapphires were found inadvertently by gold rush prospectors around 1865, who considered them a waste at the time because they got in the way of extracting gold.

 There’s a myriad of colors that these beautiful gems can be found in Montana – from greens, light blues, purples, pinks, oranges and yellows. 

The most coveted of the colors being the blue-green or teal. They're a delightful favorite, as many modern brides are opting for these breathtaking sapphires because they offer an enticing yet unconventional blue hue that always makes a statement. 

We have a close relationship with several artisinal Montana Sapphire miners (one duo is a husband and wife team who mine together in their back yard!). We feel really good about being able to trace exactly where the stones are from and to be able to support other craftspeople like ourselves!

Historically Rubies are one of the most prized and valuable gemstones.  They are the sister stones to Sapphires, both coming from the mineral species corundum.  The presence of chromium gives ruby its coloring, and sets it apart from a Sapphire. 

Often when the color is a pale red, it may fall under the category of pink Sapphire.  Just as the grading of AA can be deemed AAA by another vendor, there is no industry standard.  They can range from reddish pink to deep red or purple or brownish in hues. 

Some variations can be named ruby, ruby red, ruby dust, antique ruby, light ruby, dull ruby, ruby star, ruby pink, blood red, or ruby wine.  When choosing your ruby, always opt for the color that most appeals to you.

Rubies have always been considered as a traditional choice for an engagement ring for centuries.  Scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale, this precious gemstone makes an excellent option as engagement rings.  Symbolized for romance, health, wealth and passion, we can relate to why many “soon to be brides” are still attracted to this classic gemstone. 

Like diamonds, sapphires and rubies, emeralds are one of the four precious gemstones.  Regaining its popularity after falling out for many years, Emeralds are recapturing the hearts of many again with its rich and luscious green color. 

While keeping an awareness of its brittle qualities is important, they're scoring 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs scale, making them a suitable option for your engagement ring if special care and considerations are taken.

Emeralds make an excellent option for those searching for a classic, elegant, and chic style engagement ring.  Here at Emily Amey, we prefer Colombian and Zambian Emeralds.

To read an indepth blog about the pros and cons of Emerald engagement rings, read HERE.

One fastest growing in demand is perhaps this very romantic, feminine and charming gemstone known as Morganite.  Morganite is a pink stone in the beryl family (related to Aquamarines and Emeralds).

The hue can range from orange to coral or salmon to subtle pink. The light peachy pink is the most sought after.  Choosing an ideal color will really depend on where you gravitate.  With the hardness 7.5-8 on Mohs scale, making it much softer than other gemstones.

This means the edges of Morganite are prone to chipping easily, so it's crucial to have a strong setting for the stone.  We find setting them in our signature bezel setting provides a sturdy solution for protection, as the gemstone is covered in 14k yellow gold all the way around. 

The less included your Morganite, the more it is likely to appear brillant.  Having said that, Emily has a fondness for choosing unusual stones that might have a rainbow inclusion adorning them!

Her love for the organic personality of natural gemstones play into her vision to show off the more demure side of this gemstone; perfect for brides who prefer a more understated look.

Morganite is a fantastic option for those who favor the ethereal aesthetic and prefer to say “yes” with their avant-garde approach as opposed to the cookie-cutter look.  To lovers of light Padparadscha or pink sapphires, Morganites provide a budget-friendly gemstone option.  Being associated with the Heart Chakra and known to represent everlasting love, it seems to fit right in line with the romantic personality of Morganite rings.

Aquamarine  is derived from the Latin word “seawater,” and loved for its calming blue color.  It is said in the 19th century, the green varieties of this semi-precious stone were more popular, however today blue-hued options are highly fancied. 

Aquamarine engagement rings have recently become one of the popular in the rising trend among many couples because of the gemstone's natural intense color and clarity. 

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family, along with emerald, yellow beryl, and morganite. The stone can often be confused with blue topaz, another semi-precious gemstone. However, aquamarine is more valuable because it is more rare.

In terms of hardness, aquamarine registers at 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale . This means that it is generally tough and will not scratch easily, making them a hardy stone, and a viable choice.  The pale blue shade of aquamarine is the perfect in-between of a light, sparkly look that matches any taste like a diamond does but also gives a subtle pop of color and originality. 

The shade you end up choosing will be something very personal to you, so trust your instinct and eye. Emily Amey admires exploring with both brilliant and opaque Aquamarines accented with diamonds.   There is no cut that doesn’t suit them, but they are especially spectacular in the fancy shapes. 

Legend has it the aquamarine stone brings happiness to a new marriage and good fortune to any woman who wears it, and it soothes tensions in marriages, making aquamarine a popular choice for engagement, or anniversary gifts amongst collectors.  This durable, unique, and beautiful gem definitely meets our approval as the right choice for an engagement ring.

Tourmaline is derived from the Singhalese phrase “tura mali,” meaning “stone mixed with vibrant colors.”  Tourmaline is not a single mineral, but a group of several closely related minerals that typically comprises a mix of two or three colors combined. 

For those seeking an unconventional engagement ring, Tourmaline has been making its way to the top of the list as the go-to alternative engagement ring for a number of reasons.  Tourmalines are known for their broad and dynamic range of colors.  We love that it truly encompasses every color under the rainbow.

From crisp grass greens to deep marine teals teals to light peony pinks to deep magentas, bright oranges, vivid purples, rosey reds and every color in between, Tourmaline truly can meet everyone's taste. 

Watermelon Tourmaline has an amazing one of a kind ombre effect of luscious green and deep pink.  These multi-colored stones are very popular in the jewelry world, and we have a large selection of watermelon tourmaline stones in various cuts, shapes and colorways.

With Tourmalines intensity and saturation of color plays a big role.  As a general rule of thumb, the more intense the color and the larger the stone, the higher the value.  However, given their rarity, they are still a comparatively affordable option. 

The Paraiba tourmaline, discovered only about 2 decades ago, has become one of the most rare and coveted stones.  While there are other color variations of the Paraiba, the vibrant, almost neon, blueish green color is the most rare and alluring to gem collectors all over the world. With their striking color, brilliance and incandescent glow that set them apart from other gemstones, Paraiba Tourmalines make stunning engagement rings!  Of course we recommend to set your Tourmaline in a protective setting, like a bezel setting or a halo setting, and taken reasonable care of, it can be a great option.  Tourmalines are known to carry the frequency of natural joy and beauty.

With a hardness of 7-7.5 on Mohs scale, it denotes a more delicate and brittle option, however if used cautiously, it should hold up well in an engagement ring setting.  

Garnets have been prized since 3,000 BC and come from an old Latin word granatum, which means dark red.  

When we think of garnets, we usually think of deep crimson red, also known as Almandite Garnet.  But did you know that garnets come in a rainbow of colors and are a perfect stone for an alternative engagement ring? From deep violet-red Rhodolite, to verdant Tsavorite, to firey orange spessartite garnets are a truly magical stone. 

One of our favorite is Mahenge Garnets. We were so excited to discover this new find of garnets below, from Mahenge, Tanzania, the same region famous for its spinels. The color is so unusual we have affectionately nicknamed these our ‘padparadscha garnets’. The colors area really soft and sumptious pink and unlike anything we have seen before. With the toughness of garnet, these will make very good ring stones, with a reasonably protective setting.

When it comes to the clarity of your Garnet, generally the clarity will depend on its variety.  Garnets usually have good clarity making them transparent with a high glassy luster.

 Garnets are a  symbol of love, fire, passion, all things that are desirable for your upcoming happy occasion.  This gemstone will accompany you throughout your life and remind you of your special bond with your significant other.  Garnet is nowadays considered one of the best gemstones for engagement rings. 

 If unique is at the top of your alternatie engagement ring wishlist, look no further!  Alexandrite is described as “emerald by day, ruby by night” by gem enthusiasts, and is an exquisite color-changing gemstone.  It appears greenish-blue in daylight and purplish-red under warm incandescent lighting resulting in this fascinating color changing phenomena. 

We adore the teal to a deep purple color!  Natural Alexandrite gems are rarer than diamonds, making them a priceless possession for potential brides.  The value of the stone increases as the color change becomes more prominent.   Even though most cut Alexandrite stones weigh under a carat, it is one of the more limited and prized stones available. 

These mysterious stones can also create a stunning look as accents to diamond engagement rings, elevating the look from traditional into modern chic.  If this magical gemstone sounds appealing, you will be thrilled to know it scores 8.5 on Mohs scale making this an excellent option for you to cherish and enjoy for everyday wear. 

You will hardly find this durable stone reflecting scratch marks as Alexandrite is reasonably resistant to scratches. Genuine Alexandrite stones hardly display any inclusions.   What better gemstone to signify the bond you share with your significant other?

Without much recognition in the past, Spinel was an under-appreciated gemstone that has made a resurgence as an alternative engagement ring stone. 

Spinel is a natural gem that is in its own mineral group, and holds a lot of history. Spinel is unique in that it occurs in every color of the spectrum; from  red, orange and yellow, to green, blue, lavender, or violet.  Emily Amey is truly drawn to the bi-color Spinels with hues of pinks and hints of blues and purples. 

Spinels are revered for their brilliant luster and the ability to accept one of the brightest polishes of all gems, so you won't sacrifice sparkle when choosing one.  Gemstone cutters are breaking away from tradition with spinels and experimenting with fun and unique shapes that will add even more personality to your one of a kind style.  

A Spinel’s hardness is a great feature to consider; with a rating of 8 on Mohs hardness scale it makes a wonderful alternative engagement ring. Cleaning with ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners are usually safe provided there are no inclusions like fractures which could pose a potential problem.  With their incredible sparkle and luster, Spinels make a great candidate as an untraditional bridal jewelry.

Tsavorite (a.k.a. tsavolite or tsavorite garnet) is extremely rare, and one of the most coveted in the variety of garnets. They display excellent color dispersion making them really eye-catching gemstones.  

If green is your color, we can see why you would wish to embellish your finger with this incredibly vibrant stone. An alternative  to Emeralds, its color is due to the presence of vanadium and chromium during its formation. Variations can go from a light pastel chartreuse to a deep kelly green, with the vibrant emerald being Emily’s personal favorite.

The green color connects it to the Anahata, or the heart Chakra according to Hindu beliefs, which relates to decision making, love and compassion.  

Scoring with a hardness of 7-7.5 makes them a hardy option for the busy “brides-to-be”. Tsavorites often have better clarity compared to Emeralds making them a wonderful alternative for your engagement ring because of their brilliance and durability.

While diamonds will always be a girl’s best friend, who’s to say another stone can’t feel more like your soulmate when it comes to your engagement ring?  While Sunstone gemstones fall seemingly under the radar, it's not any less beautiful than its counterpart, the rainbow moonstone.  Those who have a deep appreciation for gemstones that possess a more unique personality, this peachy-pink glittery stone you!

Oregon Sunstone is a type of feldspar that is peachy orange in color and can be either transparent or translucent.  Although they can range in an assortment from yellow, pink, peach, orange, fiery red, and even to green.  Sunstone has an unmistakable "glow" effect called Adularescence which is caused by a sparkling metallic luster (also known as shiller).  It’s worth noting, not all Sunstones have this amazing effect, but Emily is amazing at finding the most sparkling stones and the ones deemed most valuable. 

Given the rating as 6-7 for hardness on Mohs scale, this indicates an average hardness, so care should be taken when wearing this stone.  We recommend following the same advice as Moonstone jewelry, which is to exercise extra care when choosing this for your everyday ring.  The signature 14k yellow gold bezel setting of Emily Amey may aid against breakage or chipping, however the stone will continue to pick up scratches over time. 

Choosing a Rainbow Moonstone for your handcrafted forever ring is for a woman who dreams big and loves hard. This etheral gemstone has been used as adornments since ancient times. The moonstone became especially popular in the early 1900s, during the so-called Art Nouveau period. Today it is among alternative gemstone favorites of modern day brides. 

Moonstone can be not only bluish-white, but also colorless or have many shades from pink, green, yellow to orange to green, hence the nickname 'rainbow'. The unique pearly glow is the result of a phenomenon called adularescence (where light scatters between microscopic layers of feldspar).

While this mystifying trait is loved by many, the rating 6-6.5 for hardness suggests the wearer to be extremely careful when choosing this as an alternative bridal jewelry.  Emily Amey takes special notice of this, as she carefully sets the Moonstone into her signature 14k yellow gold bezel setting.  Each gemstone is covered all the way around providing you with additional protection. While it won’t necessarily protect your moonstone from getting scratched, it will protect it from cracking more than other settings.

Take note to remove your Moonstone jewelry during any physical activities, and sudden temperature changes.  Additionally we don’t recommend the use of ultrasonic and steam cleaners for Moonstone. What you may use though is warm soapy water and gentle brushing with soft bristle brush for cleaning. 

Rainbow moonstone a great choice for the boho, artsy, or eclectic bride -to-be who desires a one of a kind handcrafted unique engagement ring.