Today, the primary source of fine ox-blood coral is the Sea of Japan. Unfortunately, coral has become an endangered species, and fine ox-blood corals are rare and can be quite costly. Padparadscha sapphire, an orange variety of sapphire, derives its name from a word in ancient Sanskrit meaning lotus flower. This East African beauty boasts a brilliant orange color and has the high durability and luster characteristic of sapphire. Rarity and increasingly high demand for this gem have caused prices to rise dramatically in the past decade, yet gemstone connoisseurs agree that this stone offers beauty, brilliance and durability that can not be matched.
Tourmaline is another versatile gemstone that occurs in a range of colors.
Orange tourmaline resembles Padparadscha sapphire, while offering a more affordable price tag. The major sources for tourmaline are Southern California, Brazil, Maine and East Africa. This stone offers excellent potential for increasing in value over the years. Radiant yellow amber was sought by ancient sun worshippers, who believed that it offered protection from evil spells and illnesses. Amber is an organic gem which originated from the sticky resin of prehistoric trees.