Sign In

Sign Up
English speaking customer support only
1-800-464-1640
Change Language
- English
- Français
- Español
- Italiano
- Deutsch
- Pусский
- 中文
- 日本語
- العربية
- Português
- 한국인
USD
Change Currency
- EUR = Euro
- GBP = British Pound
- USD = U.S. Dollar
- AED = United Arab Emirates Dirham
- AUD = Australian Dollar
- BHD = Bahraini Dinar
- BND = Brunei Dollar
- CAD = Canadian Dollar
- CHF = Swiss Franc
- CNY = Chinese Yuan
- CZK = Czech Koruna
- DKK = Danish Krone
- EGP = Egyptian Pound
- EUR = Euro
- GBP = British Pound
- HKD = Hong Kong Dollar
- IDR = Indonesian Rupiah
- ILS = Israeli New Shekel
- INR = Indian Rupee
- IQD = Iraqi Dinar
- JOD = Jordanian Dinar
- JPY = Japanese Yen
- KRW = South Korean Won
- KWD = Kuwaiti Dinar
- MXN = Mexican Peso
- MYR = Malaysian Ringgit
- NOK = Norwegian Krone
- NZD = New Zealand Dollar
- OMR = Omani Rial
- PHP = Philippine Piso
- PLN = Polish Złoty
- QAR = Qatari Riyal
- RUB = Russian Ruble
- SAR = Saudi Riyal
- SEK = Swedish Krona
- SGD = Singapore Dollar
- TWD = New Taiwan Dollar
- USD = U.S. Dollar
- VND = Vietnamese Dồng
- ZAR = South African Rand

Gemstones
Gemstones By Color
Gemstones By Color
Popular Gemstones
Popular Gemstones
- Sapphire
- Topaz
- Amethyst
- Emerald
- Citrine
- Ruby
- Tourmaline
- Garnet
- Tanzanite
- Aquamarine
- Opal
- Zircon
New Arrivals
Gems By Price
Pairs
Lots
Calibrated
Birthstones
Birthstones

By Gavin Clarke Reviewed By Andreas Zabczyk Oct 06, 2010 Updated Jan 22, 2019

Gemstone Information

If you're looking for accurate and useful gemstone information, we can help you! Over the years we've put together the most comprehensive library of gemstone information you'll find on the Internet.

As one of the largest online dealers in fine gemstones, we've learned a lot about gems and the gem market. We're still learning every day and we are glad to share our knowledge with everyone who shares our interest in gemstones.

We're located in Chanthaburi, Thailand, an international center for processing and trading colored gemstones. Traders from around the world bring rough stone from the mines to Chanthaburi to be cut and polished. Hundreds of small factories here process the material and we have a chance to buy virtually every type of colored gemstone on the market.

Being an educated buyer is key to finding the gems you want at the best price. To that end, we have created our library of gem information.

If you'd like an overview of all the different gemstone types (with photos), a good place to start is with our gemstone type list. Another good way to view all the gemstones is by color. We have an illustrated chart that will show you all the different gems grouped by color (red, pink, blue, green, yellow, violet, orange, white, brown, gray, black and multicolor).

Once you find the gems that interest you, go to our gem info pages and find the information page for that gemstone. Each information page will tell you the color range in that particular gem, where deposits are found, and whether the gem is routinely treated. You also find useful gemological data about each gem and the legends and lore associated with it throughout history.

If you're interested in gemological reference information, we've put together some useful charts and lists to compare different gem varieties. You'll find a refractive index chart for about 60 gemstone varieties and a similar chart for gem hardness. You even find a chart that will show you the dispersion (or 'fire') ratings for all the different gemstones. We've also put together a chart showing the cleavage characteristics of all the different gemstones.

One topic that every buyer should understand is the way that different gemstones vary in density. The technical term for density in gemology is specific gravity and a gemstone with a higher specific gravity will be smaller in the same carat weight than a gem with a lower density. Buyers are sometimes surprised when they buy high density gems like spessartite garnet, zircon and sapphire, all of which have a higher density than diamond.

Information is always useful, but what about useful advice? We are always forthcoming with our opinions about which gems are worth buying and at what price, and what to look for in a fine sapphire, tourmaline or garnet. See our gemstone articles for dozens of pieces written by the GemSelect staff, on topics ranging from best value gemstones to sapphire prices to how to buy gems at wholesale prices.

About Us

Gemstone Information Sign up for our Newsletter

Overall Rating -> 10

Awesome

Posted By Mic in May, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

This business makes it easy to research and find all pertinent information about the individual gemstones and other information such as the recommend use (ring or pendent for example). Also it's important to know about things like hardness and durability of the gemstones. I also appreciate the history of purchases and transaction details. Just be sure to register on the website to get the best experience.

Posted By Greg in January, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I loved my gem stones and i will order again and I would refer friends and family to purchase her in the future

Posted By Tina in October, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I’ve enjoyed purchasing stones from this site. It’s convenient and fairly priced.

Posted By Chico in May, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

Website is pretty easy to use. Some items do not have enough information like origin of the item or if they are natural or lab created. Not enough pictures/some pictures of products are not clear. This might possibly just be a mobile phone user problem however.

Posted By Lolo in October, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

Excellent prices, excellent gemstones, easy to navigating, at the checkout, only a part of my cart was paid, then I get back to my chart, and the missing gemstones were there, so I pay it.At the end of the day, I did 2 consecutive purchases, paying 2 shippings. But even with that issue, I’m sure that worth it.Thanks!

Posted By JPL in April, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

Every aspect of the purchase from selection to receipt was easy and quick. Sometimes I go through my items just to admire my purchase.

Posted By Old Salt in February, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Carat Weight

Gemstone Carat Weight - Gemstone Information - GemSelect ...

Caring for Gemstones

Gemstone Care - Gemstone Information - GemSelect ...

Gemstone Type List

Gemstone Type List: Guide to Precious & Semi-Precious Color Gems: GemSelect ...