About Gem Enthusiast

Hello! I'm Emily, and I believe the gemstone industry deserves more transparency.

For over two decades, I've been captivated by gemstones, but I've also witnessed how opaque the gem trade can be. That's why I founded Gem Enthusiast: to create a different kind of gemstone source, one built on clarity, education, and trust for jewelry designers.

My Journey

My adventure with gemstones began in the late 2000s in an unexpected place: the markets of Kabul, Afghanistan.  During a year long assignment, I explored the bazaars, hunting for stones and learning hard lessons about buying without guidance or transparency. I taught myself gemology from books, distinguishing rubies from garnets and sapphires from tanzanites, and fell in love with the mystery and beauty of these natural treasures.

When I returned home, I missed the excitement of discovery, so I started a blog in 2010 to share what I was learning. That blog was titled Gem Enthusiast.

In 2012, I earned my Graduate Gemologist degree from GIA in New York City, where my world expanded. I discovered spinels, fancy colored sapphires, quartz with inclusions, and my favorite: Oregon sunstones. More importantly, I learned the technical language of gemstones and realized how much of that knowledge is gatekept from the designers who need it most.

Why American Gemstones?

Despite my love of gemstones starting in a foreign country, American gemstones have become my passion. For years, I focused exclusively on stones mined in the U.S.: Montana sapphires, Arizona garnets, California tourmalines, and Oregon sunstones. These stones carry stories of place, craft, and integrity that resonate with me and with the designers I serve.

What Makes Gem Enthusiast Different

Too often, the gem trade operates in secrecy: vague sourcing, unclear pricing, and a culture of exclusivity that keeps designers guessing. I built Gem Enthusiast to be the opposite.

Every gemstone I offer comes with:

  • Full transparency about origin, cutting details, and pricing rationale
  • High-quality photography so you see exactly what you're getting
  • Educational context to help you make confident buying decisions
  • Designer-first curation: each stone is one I would proudly set in my own work

I've also become a metalsmith myself, which means I understand what you're looking for: stones that inspire, fit your vision, and make your clients say "wow."

Who This Is For

Gem Enthusiast serves jewelry designers, metalsmiths, and boutique jewelers who value storytelling, authenticity, and access to gemstones without the luxury markup or industry gatekeeping.

If you've ever felt frustrated by vague gem listings, opaque pricing, or dealers who won't share sourcing details, you're in the right place.

My Promise to You

Every stone I offer is one I would use in my own designs. I'm here to share what I know, answer your questions, and help you source with confidence. Gem Enthusiast isn't just a shop. It's a community of designers who believe that beauty and integrity belong together.

Thank you for being here. I hope you find something that excites and inspires your next creation.

Emily