A reference built for the field
A systematic gemmological library covering optical properties, physical characteristics, geographic origins, treatment detection and identification equipment, structured for professionals, researchers and serious collectors.
Gemology demands precision. This library was built to provide it.
Founded on the principle that reliable gemstone data should be accessible, structured and immediately applicable in the field.
Most gemstone references are either too academic to use in practice, or too shallow to rely on professionally. This library was built to occupy the space between: rigorous enough for gemmologists, clear enough for jewellers and collectors who need answers fast.
Every entry is structured around three questions: what does it look like, what does it mean, and what tool do you need. Properties are presented with practical ranges, not just textbook values. Origins are linked to actual producing regions, with production context and prestige tiers that reflect market reality.
The treatment and inclusion sections go beyond identification. They explain diagnostic significance. Knowing that a stone is heat-treated is less useful than understanding what that means for durability, disclosure and value. That context is built into every entry.
Methodology
Scientific accuracy
Physical and optical properties are drawn from peer-reviewed gemmological literature, GIA reference materials, and published laboratory data. Every numeric range is cross-referenced across at least two independent sources. Where values differ in the literature, the range is widened to reflect real-world variation rather than presenting a false consensus.
Origin intelligence
Mine data and production estimates are compiled from geological surveys, trade reports and decades of market documentation. Origins are ranked by prestige tier, not simply by production volume, but by their historical and commercial significance to gem quality. A minor producing country that yields exceptional material is weighted accordingly.
Field relevance
Every entry is structured around a practical identification workflow. What to observe, what that observation signals, and which tool to reach for first. Inclusion descriptions focus on diagnostic value, not just morphology. Treatment entries emphasise disclosure implications, durability impact and the confidence level a field test can realistically provide.
Library contents
Gemstone species & varieties
144 entries covering all major gem species and named varieties across 38 mineral families. Each entry details optical properties (RI, birefringence, dispersion), physical characteristics (hardness, specific gravity, crystal system), common colour ranges and diagnostic identification criteria.
Browse gemstones →Mining origins
70 producing regions across 56 countries, ranked by prestige tier and linked to the gem species they yield. Each origin entry includes geographic context, production notes, quality characteristics associated with that locality, and links to gemstones where origin is commercially significant.
Explore origins →Inclusions & treatments
17 inclusion types and 33 treatment profiles structured around diagnostic workflow: what to look for under magnification, what the feature indicates, and what it means for the stone's natural origin status, durability and commercial disclosure obligations.
View inclusions →Identification tools
19 instruments profiled with portability rating, typical price range, step-by-step usage instructions and reading tips. From the pocket loupe to the spectroscope, each tool entry explains not just how to use the instrument, but what you are actually observing and how to interpret it reliably.
Browse tools →This library is intended as a reference and educational tool. The property ranges, origin data and identification guidance provided reflect published gemmological knowledge and should be used as a starting point for professional assessment, not as a substitute for it. For commercial valuation, legal documentation or dispute resolution, always consult a certified gemmological laboratory.