Gemlab Phils.

23/09/2026

23/09/2026

Love blue gemstones but want something suited for regular wear? Save this list!

These gems rank 7 or higher on the Mohs hardness scale, making them more resistant to everyday scratches.

- Blue diamond: With a Mohs scale rank of 10, ultra-rare and brilliant, blue diamonds are the hardest blue gemstones. Its color gives it a mysterious aura, as does its occasional red fluorescence.
- Sapphire: Sapphires have Mohs scale rank of 9 and are a true-blue classic. Its most popular colors are a rich royal or cornflower blue.
- Cobalt spinel: Among the rarest blue gemstones, cobalt spinel ranks 8 on the Mohs scale. Trace amounts of cobalt create its vibrant blue color, making it highly sought after by collectors.
- Blue topaz: One of the most popular blue gemstones, blue topaz ranks 8 on the Mohs scale. It is known for its vibrant sky, Swiss and London blue hues and remains one of the most affordable options.
- Aquamarine: Best known for its tranquil greenish blue to blue color, aquamarine ranks 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale. Long associated with the sea, it was once believed to protect sailors and calm the waves.
- Paraíba tourmaline: Famous for its extraordinary neon blue to blue-green color, Paraíba tourmaline ranks 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale. Its electric glow is caused by trace amounts of copper, making it one of the world's most coveted tourmaline varieties.

See the full list of must-know gemstones on our website: https://bit.ly/4y14ARV

23/09/2026

Sapphire is best known for its rich blue color, but this remarkable variety of corundum occurs in nearly every color of the rainbow. The only exception is red corundum, which is classified as ruby rather than sapphire.

- Padparadscha: An exceptionally rare pinkish orange to orangy pink variety. Often the most valuable fancy-color sapphire.
- Orange: Deep golden to mandarin and deep orange colors.
- Yellow: Bright hues ranging from pale lemon to golden yellow.
- Green: Often more subdued, with subtle blue and yellow undertones.
- Blue: The classic sapphire color. The most prized gems display vivid cornflower or royal blue hues, though lighter blues also occur.
- Purple: Can range from soft lavender to rich purple.
- Pink: Ranges from delicate pastel to vivid hot pink, with saturated colors being the most valuable.

Which is your favorite sapphire color?

03/07/2025

❤️🔥 July Birthstone Spotlight: RUBY 🔥❤️

July babies, the stage is yours! Few gems rival ruby’s fiery red—symbol of passion, vitality, and unwavering love. Whether set in a sleek modern ring or a vintage heirloom, a well-cut ruby commands attention from across the room.

Want to be sure your ruby’s brilliance runs skin-deep? Look for an IGI report to understand its quality, color, and origins—because true fire never hides.

01/07/2025

Looking to pick an exceptional Round Brilliant Cut diamond? Save these tips on diamond anatomy!

- 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: This is the largest facet at the top of a diamond. It allows light to shine into the diamond and reflect back out. A large table facet can make a diamond appear larger, but too large of a table facet can reduce the crown facets’ ability to disperse light. The ideal table size is between 52-62% of a diamond’s diameter.
- 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧: The crown facets at the top of the diamond consist of 8 bezels, 8 stars, and 16 upper halves. They gather and disperse light to create brightness, fire, and a scintillating pattern of light and dark. The crown angle – the angle between the bezel facet plane an the table plane – should be between 31.5 to 36.5 degrees.
- 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐞: The girdle surrounds the middle portion of a diamond like a “belt,” Separating the crown from the pavilion. It should not be too thick, which can hide weight, or too thin, which may make the diamond vulnerable to chipping.
- 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧: The pavilion or bottom facets consist of 16 lower halves and 8 mains. They reflect light back through the crown into the viewer’s eye. The pavilion, angle, the average angle made by the diamond’s pavilion facets and girdle plane, is a key dimension relating to the stone’s brightness, and ideally falls between 40.6 – 41.8 degrees.
- 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐭: The culet is an optional facet at the very bottom of the diamond. It can reduce the chance of the bottom tip chipping. An overly large culet can look like a distracting dark circle through the table facet.

Importantly, GIA considers how a diamond’s proportions relate to each other, rather than considering individual proportions in isolation.

Learn more saveable tips about the 4Cs of diamond quality on our blog: https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/how-to-select-round-diamond-engagement-ring/?utm_campaign=consumer-education&utm_content=1751299321&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=facebook

24/06/2025

Pearls are timeless classics and are prized for their luminous glow. ⚪️ Whether you’re drawn to large South Seas, dramatic Tahitians, bright akoyas or colorful freshwater pearls, here are key factors to consider when choosing a pearl:

Size: South Sea and freshwater pearls are typically the largest, reaching 15mm or more. Akoyas over 9mm are considered large.
Shape: While round pearls are the most valuable, off-round strands can look round from a distance and baroque strands can make for affordable statement pieces.
Color: Overtone, orient and popular bodycolors such as deep gold can increase the beauty and value of pearls.
Luster: This is a pearl’s most important value factor. South Seas are known for their soft, satiny glow, while akoyas are known for their bright, mirror-like shine.
Surface: This refers to whether the pearl has any surface blemishes such as dimples and scratches. High surface quality pearls should be smooth and clean.
Nacre: Consider the continuity, thickness, and condition of a pearl’s nacre when evaluating pearl quality. Avoid pearls that appear dull or chalky, or where the nucleus is visible beneath the nacre.
Matching: In a well-matched strand, pearls should be consistent in key quality factors—especially luster, shape and surface. Designers may occasionally mix colors or use graduated sizes for artistic or unique effects.

Learn how to choose the best pearls for you on our website: https://www.gia.edu/pearl-quality-factor?utm_campaign=consumer-education&utm_content=1750693743&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=facebook

04/06/2025

A big congratulations to JA17 Batch 1 – 2025 for completing the program last April! You’ve started the year strong with focus, grit, and excellence. We’re proud to have been part of your journey and can’t wait to see the impact you'll make in the jewelry and pawnshop field.

31/05/2025

Congratulations to our JA17 Batch 2 – 2024, who successfully completed their training last February! Your hard work, discipline, and passion for learning have truly paid off. We’re excited to see you bring your skills to the industry and continue Gemlab’s legacy of trusted professionals in gemology and jewelry appraisal.

30/05/2025

28/05/2025

As we commemorate Philippine National Flag Days from May 28 to June 12, we honor the symbol of our nation's pride, unity, and history. At Gemlab Philippines, we celebrate not only our heritage in education and craftsmanship but also our shared commitment to excellence as proud Filipinos. 🇵🇭 Let the flag remind us of our values—integrity, service, and dedication to nation-building.