Guild Wars 2

Is there a way to buy gems outside of the game? The buying gems in game is unavailable. I thought I had bought gems through Anet not in game but now I can’t figure out how.

Edited to add: The gem store was down, but it’s back up. I was able to purchase gems in the game.

This happened to me today, exactly as described in the OP. Stuck at the Sickly Quaggan after killing the other two.