The Gemstone Market Is Changing. Here’s Where the Trade Is Going…

The diamond and colored gemstone trade has always been built on relationships. That has not changed. What has changed is how professionals find inventory, reach new buyers, and keep business moving between trade shows and travel. The market is asking for better access and more consistency, without losing the trust the trade depends on.

In January 2025, RapNet launched its Gemstone Trading Network to meet that need. Built on the same platform trusted by the global diamond trade, RapNet now allows verified professionals to buy and sell loose colored gemstones online. The goal is straightforward. Give the trade a reliable place to connect, compare, and transact, using tools that already work at scale.

Only months after launch, more than 80,000 gemstones are already listed on RapNet. That level of participation signals growing confidence in the platform and a clear appetite for a centralized marketplace that reflects how the gemstone business is actually done today.

A Natural Expansion of RapNet

RapNet’s gemstone marketplace extends the same principles that have guided its widely used natural diamond platform for decades. Verified membership, transparent pricing, direct communication between buyers and sellers, and clear presentation of inventory.

Members can list gemstones with detailed information and search across multiple criteria, including stone type, size, and price. Inventory is visible around the clock, allowing buyers to respond quickly when the right stone becomes available, and sellers to keep their goods showing without relying solely on in-person events.

For many in the trade, RapNet has long been used to source natural diamonds. The addition of jewelry in 2019 expanded that scope, and the launch of gemstone trading in 2025 represents a strategic evolution of the platform. Today, diamonds, jewelry, and gemstones can be sourced within a single marketplace, reducing the need to move between platforms and simplifying how professionals support specific designs or client requests. The emphasis remains on practical access, consistency, and informed sourcing.

Built on Trust and Transparency in Gemstone Trading

When RapNet launched gemstone trading, it turned to the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) because of a shared commitment to trust, transparency, and professional standards in gemstone trading. AGTA’s involvement at launch helped ensure the marketplace was built with the expectations and best practices of the gemstone industry in mind.

From the outset, AGTA standards were incorporated into RapNet’s gemstone trading rules, reinforcing accurate disclosure, professionalism, and clear communication. Where gemstone-related disputes arise between members, AGTA provides a recognized arbitration framework, offering an established and familiar path for resolution.

The launch was formally marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the RapNet booth during the AGTA 2025 event in Tucson, reflecting the alignment between the two organizations at the start of the marketplace.

Gem suppliers registering boosted sales with RapNet

Affordable Gems, a long-established colored gemstone supplier, began using RapNet to expand beyond traditional sales channels. By listing its inventory on the platform, the company gained visibility with retailers and manufacturers actively sourcing stones for production and custom work.

Within just three months, Affordable Gems increased sales by $1 million and added 200 new accounts, demonstrating how quickly global exposure on RapNet can translate into real business results.

RapNet made it easier for the company to present inventory clearly, respond to inquiries efficiently, and engage with buyers without constant travel. As a result, inventory moved more consistently, supporting growth while allowing the business to stay focused on its core strengths.

C.R. Gems approached RapNet with a similar goal but from a different starting point. The company wanted broader market reach while maintaining full control over pricing, communication, and quality standards.

By using RapNet, C.R. Gems connected with buyers seeking reliable supply and straightforward transactions. The platform fit naturally into the company’s existing sales practices and helped accelerate new business. Within the first three months, C.R. Gems generated $50,000 in sales and quickly became the second-largest colored gemstone supplier on RapNet.

Looking Ahead

The rapid growth of RapNet’s Gemstone Trading Network confirms what the trade has been signaling for years. Professionals want tools that fit naturally into how they already work. With tens of thousands of gemstones listed alongside diamonds and jewelry, RapNet now serves as a one-stop-shop to source everything needed for a client, efficiently, at competitive prices, and with reduced risk.

Not trading gemstones on RapNet yet? Learn more about how the platform connects verified professionals across the global gem trade.