Introduction to Gemsetting
Gemstones are used throughout the Andórë Crafting System as decorative materials, spell components, alchemical reagents, arcane anchors, and structural vessels for enchantment.
This page classifies gemstones by type, quality, value, and maximum rarity. A gemstone's type describes what it is. Its quality determines how useful it is for crafting, whether it can hold enchantment, and whether it can satisfy a recipe that calls for a gem of a particular rarity.
Most recipes care more about a gemstone's quality tier than its exact name. A flawed diamond, a clear garnet, and a flawless sapphire may all be valuable, but they do not serve the same crafting role. When a recipe requires a gemstone of a specific rarity, the stone must meet or exceed that rarity unless the recipe says otherwise.
Gem dust, chips, and fragments remain useful for alchemy, pigments, inks, spell components, and minor reagents, but they lack the structure needed for fine gemsetting or major enchantment.
Gem Quality & Rarity¶
Not all gemstones are created equal.
The value and rarity listed in the tables represent the highest possible quality a given gemstone can achieve—flawless, well-cut, and of exceptional size. Such specimens are rare, coveted, and often carry names, histories, or legends of their own.
Most gemstones found in the world are of far lesser quality.
Quality Tiers¶
Gemstones exist across a spectrum of quality, represented by rarity tiers:
- ★ Common — Chips, fragments, cloudy or flawed stones
- ★★ Uncommon — Small, workable gems with visible imperfections
- ★★★ Rare — Clear, well-formed stones suitable for fine crafting
- ★★★★ Very Rare — Large, high-clarity gemstones of exceptional quality
- ★★★★★ Legendary — Near-perfect specimens of remarkable size and purity
A gemstone’s Maximum Rarity indicates the highest tier it can naturally achieve.
For example:
- Malachite is always ★ Common
- Garnet ranges from ★ to ★★
- Diamond can range from ★ to ★★★★★
Value and Size¶
A gemstone’s value is determined by a combination of:
- clarity
- size
- color
- and cut
Lower-rarity gemstones are typically:
- smaller
- flawed
- or poorly formed
Higher-rarity gemstones are:
- larger
- clearer
- and more visually striking
A Common diamond may be little more than grit or dust, while a Legendary diamond may be a flawless stone large enough to anchor powerful magic.
Gem Dust and Fragments¶
At the lowest end of the scale, gemstones may be reduced to:
- dust
- shards
- or unusable fragments
These are still valuable, particularly in alchemy and spellcasting, but lack the structure required for fine crafting.
Some spells and rituals specifically call for gem dust, which is most often derived from Common-quality stones.
Use in Crafting and Magic¶
When a recipe, spell, or magical item requires a gemstone of a specific rarity, it generally refers to the quality of the stone, not its type.
For example, a ritual requiring a ★★★ gem could use:
- a high-quality garnet
- a mid-tier sapphire
- or a lower-tier diamond
The gemstone must meet or exceed the required rarity tier, regardless of type.
Legendary Gems¶
At the highest tier, gemstones cease to be mere materials.
Legendary specimens are:
- unusually large
- nearly flawless
- and often unique
Many are known by name, passed through history as treasures, heirlooms, or objects of great power.
Such gems are rarely traded openly and may be the focus of entire expeditions, conflicts, or legends.
| Name | Value* | Max Rarity | Appearance | Uses | Magical Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azurite | 10 GP | ★ | Deep blue | Pigment | None |
| Banded Agate | 10 GP | ★ | Striped | Jewelry | None |
| Blue Quartz | 10 GP | ★ | Pale blue | Decor | None |
| Eye Agate | 10 GP | ★ | Ringed | Jewelry | None |
| Hematite | 10 GP | ★ | Gray-black | Jewelry | None |
| Lapis Lazuli | 10 GP | ★ | Blue w/ gold | Pigment | None |
| Malachite | 10 GP | ★ | Green bands | Decor | None |
| Moss Agate | 10 GP | ★ | Mossy | Jewelry | None |
| Obsidian | 10 GP | ★ | Black glass | Blades | Sharp edge |
| Rhodochrosite | 10 GP | ★ | Pink | Jewelry | None |
| Tiger Eye | 10 GP | ★ | Brown/gold | Jewelry | Reflective |
| Turquoise | 10 GP | ★ | Blue-green | Jewelry | None |
| Bloodstone | 50 GP | ★ | Dark w/ red | Talismans | None |
| Carnelian | 50 GP | ★ | Orange-red | Jewelry | None |
| Chalcedony | 50 GP | ★ | White | Carving | None |
| Chrysoprase | 50 GP | ★ | Green | Jewelry | None |
| Citrine | 50 GP | ★ | Yellow-brown | Jewelry | None |
| Jasper | 50 GP | ★ | Mixed | Decor | None |
| Moonstone | 50 GP | ★ | Soft glow | Jewelry | Faint shimmer |
| Onyx | 50 GP | ★ | Black/white | Jewelry | None |
| Quartz | 50 GP | ★ | Clear | Tools | None |
| Sardonyx | 50 GP | ★ | Red/white | Jewelry | None |
| Star Rose Quartz | 50 GP | ★ | Pink star | Jewelry | Reflective |
| Zircon | 50 GP | ★ | Pale blue | Jewelry | None |
| Amber | 100 GP | ★★ | Golden | Jewelry | Preserves |
| Amethyst | 100 GP | ★★ | Purple | Focus | Resonance |
| Chrysoberyl | 100 GP | ★★ | Yellow-green | Jewelry | None |
| Coral | 100 GP | ★★ | Crimson | Jewelry | None |
| Garnet | 100 GP | ★★ | Red | Jewelry | None |
| Jade | 100 GP | ★★ | Green | Carving | Stable |
| Jet | 100 GP | ★★ | Black | Jewelry | Absorbs light |
| Pearl | 100 GP | ★★ | Lustrous | Jewelry | Holds enchantment |
| Spinel | 100 GP | ★★ | Red/green | Jewelry | None |
| Tourmaline | 100 GP | ★★ | Multi | Jewelry | None |
| Alexandrite | 500 GP | ★★★ | Color shift | Jewelry | Light reactive |
| Aquamarine | 500 GP | ★★★ | Blue-green | Jewelry | None |
| Black Pearl | 500 GP | ★★★ | Black | Jewelry | None |
| Blue Spinel | 500 GP | ★★★ | Deep blue | Jewelry | None |
| Peridot | 500 GP | ★★★ | Olive | Jewelry | None |
| Topaz | 500 GP | ★★★ | Gold | Jewelry | None |
| Black Opal | 1000 GP | ★★★★ | Dark shifting | Jewelry | Refraction |
| Blue Sapphire | 1000 GP | ★★★★ | Blue | Focus | Clarity |
| Emerald | 1000 GP | ★★★★ | Bright green | Focus | Nature aligned |
| Fire Opal | 1000 GP | ★★★★ | Fiery red | Jewelry | Warm |
| Opal | 1000 GP | ★★★★ | Shifting | Jewelry | Light distortion |
| Star Ruby | 1000 GP | ★★★★ | Red star | Jewelry | Reflective |
| Star Sapphire | 1000 GP | ★★★★ | Blue star | Jewelry | Reflective |
| Yellow Sapphire | 1000 GP | ★★★★ | Yellow | Jewelry | None |
| Black Sapphire | 5000 GP | ★★★★★ | Black glow | Jewelry | Absorbs light |
| Diamond | 5000 GP | ★★★★★ | Clear | Magic items | Stores energy |
| Jacinth | 5000 GP | ★★★★★ | Orange | Jewelry | None |
| Ruby | 5000 GP | ★★★★★ | Deep red | Focus | Heat resonance |