Colloidal nanocrystals or "quantum dots" of GaN are directly produced by heating amidogallium dimer, i.e., (Ga.sub.2[N(CH.sub.3).sub.2].sub.6), in the presence of a functional amine. The GaN quantum dots obtained, which comprise isolated particles 2-3 nm in diameter with a relative broad size distribution (e.g., 20% standard deviation) exhibit strong exciton confinement.