Explore the Gem Encyclopedia
Whether you’re a consumer looking for information on a gem before you buy, a student considering a career in the gem and jewelry industry or someone who simply loves gems and minerals, you are sure to discover information here that reveals the beauty and wonder of gems.
This site features a comprehensive overview of gem information, starting with the GIA Gem Encyclopedia, a major new feature that highlights 21 of the most popular gemstones. Each has its own page with standout facts, information on treatments, synthetics and imitations, famous stones and a map of gem localities. It also includes eye-catching photography, video and a streamlined, content-rich format. The easy-to-navigate layout enables you to search by color or country of origin and toggle between rough and polished images of the stone.
Looking to buy a gem? Jump straight to a Buying Guide for tips on quality factors, gem care or how to find a jeweler. Whether you’re seeking advice on how to clean your diamond or the refractive index of tanzanite, you can find it in the Gem Encyclopedia.
“From someone in GIA’s Junior Gemologist program newly bitten by the gemology bug to researchers eager to tap into nearly 80 years of G&G knowledge, the Gem Encyclopedia covers all levels of interest,” said Duncan Pay, editor-in-chief of G&G.
The gem pages also lead you to related articles on the Research & News section so you can easily browse from one topic to the next if you want more information.
“As you explore the pages you’ll find the more you learn, the more you can learn,” Pay said. “A consumer on the sapphire page will find useful, quick information, but they can also dig deeper and learn about fascinating research on new sapphire sources and see maps of where the gem is found.”
The new Research & News section is a quick reference to all G&G articles – dating back to 1934 – which are available to read on the website or download in a free PDF. This section also features content from GIA global researchers and subject matter experts, including field reports, market analyses and the latest research updates.
The Gem Encyclopedia overview provides broad information about each stone, but you
can easily dig deeper with the embedded links.
