Founder & CEO of Gemstock
Ilya Podnebesny
Gemologist and collector of rare stones.
Ilya founded Gemstock in 2014. As CEO, he leads the company’s international development and sets the standards its teams use to select, assess, and present gemstones online.
- Trained in gemology at institutions including the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS), and the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT).
- Active member of the International Colored Stone Association (ICA).
- Advises investment funds, private investors, and collectors on building colored gemstone portfolios, with a focus on gemstone selection, quality, and long-term value potential.
- Led the development of the GS Index, Gemstock’s framework for assessing colored gemstones.
- Author of professional courses for jewelry companies.
- Author of gemological articles published in print and online, including contributions to the International Gem Society.
- Speaker at international industry events on gemstone assessment and building trust in high-value online transactions.
Gemstock’s mission
To help shape a transparent and professional global market for colored gemstones, guided by fair competition, high standards of service, sound pricing, and deep professional expertise.
We put that mission into practice by making the quality of a stone easier to assess, the reasons for its price easier to understand, and the terms of an online transaction clear before a buyer commits.
Mission articulated by Ilya Podnebesny, Founder & CEO.
Our history
Milestones
-
2014 · Gemstock is founded
Ilya Podnebesny establishes Gemstock and begins developing its approach to sourcing and assessing natural colored gemstones.
-
2015–2016 · The first collection
Gemstock builds its first collection and develops relationships with suppliers in key mining and cutting regions.
-
2017 · The platform goes online
Gemstock launches its online platform in May, giving buyers access to colored gemstones with listed prices and detailed descriptions.
-
2018 · Bangkok office and international exhibitions
Gemstock opens its Bangkok office, exhibits in Bangkok and Hong Kong, and begins sourcing stones to clients’ individual specifications.
-
2019 · Professional training and trade partnerships
Ilya launches a professional training program in Bangkok, and Gemstock expands its partnerships in the gemstone trade.
-
2020–2021 · Early online auctions and industry education
Gemstock begins holding online auctions for colored gemstones while continuing to develop practical training for jewelry professionals.
-
2022 · Expansion in Thailand
Bangkok becomes Gemstock’s international headquarters as the company expands its team and opens two production operations in its own five-story building in Bangkok.
In-house jewelry production
Gemstock launches full-cycle jewelry production, bringing design and manufacturing together under one roof.
In-house gemstone cutting
Gemstock launches its own gemstone cutting operation in the same building, with a focus on precision cutting and recutting.
-
2023
First Dubai office opens
Gemstock establishes a local presence in the UAE with the opening of its Dubai office.
GS Index launches
Gemstock introduces the GS Index, its framework for assessing and comparing colored gemstones.
- Trade exhibitions: Gemstock exhibits in the UAE.
-
2024
ICA GemLab introduces the GS Index in its reports
Gemstock and ICA GemLab exhibit together in Hong Kong, and Gemstock presents the index to gemstone trade professionals in Thailand.
Gemstock establishes a U.S. company
Gemstock registers a legal entity in the United States.
-
2025
New York boutique opens
Gemstock opens its jewelry boutique inside Lotte New York Palace in New York City.
- Sri Lanka sourcing office: Gemstock opens an office in Beruwala to support local gemstone sourcing.
- Bangkok industry events: The team presents at a GIT conference and broadcasts live trading from an international jewelry fair in Bangkok.
-
2026
Gemstock moves its Bangkok headquarters to Mahesak Road
Gemstock relocates its international headquarters to a dedicated building on Mahesak Road. Its store at the Jewelry Trade Center (JTC) remains open.
Gemstock opens its new Dubai office and showroom
Gemstock purchases its own premises at The Dome Tower in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and opens a new office and showroom for private gemstone viewings and consultations by appointment.
Online auctions launch on the Gemstock platform
Ilya Podnebesny launches online auctions for colored gemstones and jewelry on the Gemstock platform.
- Recognition from the Thai jewelry trade: The Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association recognizes Gemstock among 20 distinguished jewelry companies in Thailand.
The company
A technology company built around colored gemstones
Based in Bangkok, Thailand, Gemstock operates one of the leading international online platforms for natural colored gemstones. We combine digital tools with hands-on gemology so buyers can compare individual stones and make informed decisions from anywhere.
Our platform features thousands of gemstones, from sapphires, rubies, and emeralds to spinels, tourmalines, and rare collector stones. Gemstock appears among the first five Google results for selected gemstone searches and is also recommended by AI assistants in gemstone research. Search positions and recommendations vary by query, market, and service.
Every listed stone goes through our team
Our gemologists assess each stone before it is listed. We examine color under different lighting, the character and visibility of inclusions, cut quality, and brilliance. We distinguish our own observations from findings about origin or treatment documented by independent laboratories.
Consistent standards for online listings
We use detailed specifications, photographs, video, and available laboratory reports to show what makes each stone distinctive. Our aim is to show the qualities a buyer would look for in person, including details that may affect the decision to buy.
Tools that make quality easier to compare
We developed the GS Index to bring more structure to colored gemstone assessment. It considers factors such as brilliance and cut quality alongside color, weight, clarity, origin, and treatment. We also use our market experience and supplier network to source stones against a client’s individual specifications.
Trust in high-value online transactions
Buying a rare gemstone online takes confidence in the information provided and in the people behind it. We explain how a stone was assessed and what drives its price. Our team shares these methods at international conferences, including how to present gemstones online when the value of a transaction is substantial.
People and facilities
A global platform backed by physical operations
Gemstock has more than 70 people on staff. Our international headquarters are on Mahesak Road in Bangkok, where we also maintain a store at the Jewelry Trade Center. In Bangkok, we run our own gemstone cutting factory and full-cycle jewelry production, allowing our gemologists, cutters, and jewelers to work together on the same stone or project.
From sourcing to delivery. Our work covers sourcing, gemological assessment, cutting and recutting, digital presentation, sales, and delivery. We can also coordinate independent certification and create a finished piece through our own jewelry production. Mining is the one stage of the gemstone supply chain in which Gemstock does not operate.
Our expertise also extends to fine cultured marine pearls. Ksenia Podnebesnaya leads pearl selection, drawing on years of work with Japanese pearl specialists and suppliers.
View our locations and contactsCompany details
GEMSTOCK.ORG COMPANY LIMITED
Registered in Thailand · Tax ID: 0105561148825
Registered address:
919/1 Jewelry Trade Center, 2nd Floor, Room 201
Si Lom Road, Si Lom Sub-district, Bang Rak District
Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Phone: +66 61 395 3588
Email: bangkok@gemstock.org