If you've been researching permanent LED roofline lighting in Calgary, you've almost certainly come across both Starise and Gemstone Lights. Both companies install permanent puck-style LED systems along your roofline. Both produce genuinely beautiful results. And both will happily give you a quote.

So what's actually different? We'll break it down — honestly. We're Starise, so take that context into account. But we've used only verified, publicly available information about Gemstone and won't make claims we can't back up.

Disclosure This comparison is written by Starise Lighting. Gemstone specs are sourced from gemstonelights.com. We encourage you to get quotes from both companies and compare — we'll help you evaluate any quote you receive.

About each company

Starise Lighting

Starise is a Calgary-founded company that installs exclusively in Alberta. We use Gen 2 24V RGBWW LED puck nodes at 8-inch spacing — IP68 waterproof, rated to −40°C — mounted in custom aluminium extrusion channels. All work is done by our own trained crews with no subcontractors. As of 2026 we've completed over 1,392 residential installations across Calgary and surrounding communities. Our hardware carries UL, cUL, CE, ETL, FCC, and RoHS certification.

Gemstone Lights

Gemstone Lights is a franchise operation with locations across Canada and the US. The Calgary franchise operates independently. They use RGBWW puck-style LED nodes at 9-inch spacing, mounted in a colour-matched channel along your roofline. They've been in the Calgary market for several years and are CSA & ETL certified. Installation is done by their authorized dealer network — labour warranty terms are set by the individual dealer, not Gemstone head office.

Side-by-side comparison

Specification Starise Gemstone Lights
LED format RGBWW puck nodes RGBWW puck nodes
Puck spacing 8 inches 9 inches
Colour depth 16M colours 16M colours
LED lifespan 50,000+ hours 50,000 hours
System voltage 24V Not published
IP waterproof rating IP68 (fully submersible) Not published
Cold temperature rating −40°C to +60°C Built for extreme weather (specific rating not published)
Certifications UL, cUL, CE, ETL, FCC, RoHS CSA, ETL
Who owns the install relationship Starise (local Calgary company) Calgary franchise (independent business)

Gemstone specs sourced from gemstonelights.com. Starise hardware specs sourced from manufacturer data sheets. Some Gemstone specifications are not publicly disclosed — "Not published" indicates no verified figure was available at time of writing.

Hardware: where the specs actually differ

Starise uses IP68-rated LED puck nodes. IP68 is the highest standard for waterproofing — it means the pucks are rated for full submersion, not just rain splash. Gemstone doesn't publish their IP rating. For a system that's mounted outdoors year-round through Calgary's freeze-thaw cycles, that's a meaningful spec to ask about before you sign.

Our system also runs at 24V. Higher voltage means less voltage drop across a longer roofline, which translates to consistent brightness from corner to corner — a common complaint on large homes with underpowered systems. Gemstone doesn't publish their voltage, so we can't make a direct comparison, but it's worth asking your installer specifically.

On puck spacing: Starise uses 8-inch spacing, Gemstone uses 9 inches. One inch doesn't sound like much, but across a 150-foot roofline it's roughly 18 additional puck points with Starise — which adds up to noticeably denser, more uniform coverage, especially on colour gradients and chasing effects.

Local company vs. franchise

Starise is a Calgary company. We live here, our crews work here, and our service calls stay here. When something needs attention, you're talking to the same team that installed your lights — not a call centre, not a franchise office.

Gemstone operates through an authorized dealer network. The Calgary franchise is an independently owned business operating under the Gemstone brand. Gemstone's own FAQ states: "Each Authorized Dealer operates its own business and will offer its own labor warranty." That's worth understanding clearly: service continuity depends on the individual franchise, not Gemstone head office. Ask specifically who backs the relationship if ownership of the franchise changes.

Which is right for your home?

Choose Starise if you want:

  • IP68-rated hardware built for Calgary winters
  • 24V system for consistent brightness on large rooflines
  • Denser 8-inch puck spacing for better coverage
  • Local Calgary ownership — one team, direct accountability
  • UL, cUL, ETL, CE, FCC, RoHS certified hardware

Consider Gemstone if you:

  • Have an existing relationship with the local franchise
  • Get their service terms confirmed in writing upfront
  • Are satisfied with their published hardware specifications

Both are a genuine upgrade over temporary Christmas lights. The right choice comes down to how much the hardware specs, density, and long-term local accountability matter to you.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gemstone Lights good quality?
Yes — Gemstone is a legitimate permanent lighting system with CSA and ETL certification and a 50,000-hour LED lifespan. Our comparison isn't meant to suggest otherwise. The key differences are hardware specs (IP rating, voltage, puck density) and the franchise vs. local company service model.
What does IP68 mean for outdoor lighting?
IP68 is the highest ingress protection rating for waterproofing — it means the LED pucks are rated for complete submersion in water. For permanent roofline lighting that sits outdoors through Calgary's spring melt, heavy rain, and freeze-thaw cycles, it's the rating you want. IP67 (one step lower) is common; IP65 is splash-resistant only. Always ask for the specific IP rating before purchasing any permanent lighting system.
Can I get quotes from both and compare?
Absolutely — we encourage it. When comparing, ask both companies for the IP waterproof rating, operating voltage, puck spacing, and who specifically backs service calls if anything changes on their end. Price per linear foot is a starting point, not the whole picture.
Why does puck spacing matter?
Closer spacing means more light points per foot of roofline. On a typical Calgary home, one inch of extra spacing across the full roofline can mean 15–20 fewer puck nodes. This shows most clearly on colour-chasing animations and gradient effects — wider spacing creates more visible "gaps" in the pattern.
Will Starise match a Gemstone Lights quote?
We don't price-match because the products differ in specs and service structure. What we will do is give you a transparent, itemized quote and walk you through exactly what's included so you can compare apples to apples.

Get your Starise quote and compare for yourself

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