The 'Gem and Coal' meme emerged from niche imageboard subcultures, particularly associated with Wojak (or 'jak') variations and the slang of 4chan's /v/ and /pol/ boards. In this lexicon, a 'gem' refers to a high-quality, meaningful, or 'based' post, while 'coal' describes content that is low-effort, unwanted, or 'cringe.' The template often features character archetypes like Soyjaks pointing at or holding these items to signify cultural approval or disapproval. It has since evolved into a binary system of rating internet trends, video games, and opinions, serving as a quick visual shorthand for community consensus on what is valuable versus what is disposable.