GemColony vs Excel and Google Sheets for gem dealers
Spreadsheets are how most gem businesses start: one row per stone, one tab per month. This page sets out where it fits a gem business and where GemColony, which is built only for gem dealers, cutters and exporters, fits better. We have tried to be fair: check Excel and Google Sheets's own site for current features and pricing.
What Excel and Google Sheets does well
Free and familiar. Flexible for any layout. Easy to share a price list.
Where gem businesses hit limits
Easy to overwrite or break, with no audit trail of who changed a price. Stones out on memo are hard to track against the people holding them. No built-in barcodes, certificates or customer history. Everything slows as stock and history grow.
Choose Excel and Google Sheets when
You hold a few dozen stones and have one person managing them.
Choose GemColony when
You stock, memos and customers have outgrown a sheet. GemColony can import your existing stock from Excel.
Gem-trade needs checklist
| What a gem business needs | GemColony | Excel and Google Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Stone records with origin, treatment, weight, dimensions and certificate number | Built in, with photos, barcodes and QR labels | Not a standard feature; usually needs customisation or a separate tool |
| Parcels and lots that can be split into single stones | Built in (lot and parcel support on every plan) | Not a standard feature; usually needs customisation or a separate tool |
| Memo and consignment tracking | Built in, with a memo-to-sale conversion | Not a standard feature; usually needs customisation or a separate tool |
| Lapidary workflow with weight loss at each stage | Built in (Professional plan) | Not a standard feature; usually needs customisation or a separate tool |
| Provenance certificates with an online verification link | Built in (Professional plan) | Not a standard feature; usually needs customisation or a separate tool |
| AI gemstone analysis from photos | Built in (Professional plan) | Not a standard feature; usually needs customisation or a separate tool |
| Multi-currency sales across LKR, USD, THB, AED and others | Built in | Not a standard feature; usually needs customisation or a separate tool |
| Shareable stone links and QR codes for buyers | Built in | Not a standard feature; usually needs customisation or a separate tool |
Based on publicly available descriptions of Excel and Google Sheets. Products change, so confirm current features with the vendor before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is GemColony a replacement for Excel and Google Sheets?
For stone inventory, memos, lapidary, certificates and sales, yes. If you need Excel and Google Sheets for statutory accounts or a wider business, some customers run both and let GemColony handle the stones.
Can I import my existing stock?
Yes. GemColony can import your existing stock from Excel.
How much does GemColony cost?
Plans are $69 (Starter) and $179 (Professional) a month, with Enterprise from $399. Pay yearly and get 2 months free. Each plan has a 14-day free trial and no credit card needed.