'''Gems''' are returning return in [[Diablo III]] as previous items put into [[socket]]s , and they're set to be a much larger part of other [[the game. The item]]s. They are almost identical in use to gems type works just as it did in Diablo II2; Gems are still small objects that have no function on their own, with a few new features being addedwhich add various bonuses when placed in item sockets. They can be combined by an [[Artisan]] JewelerThe bonuses they grant have changed though, in the same way and there are many more quality levels of gems and runes could be combined (14 in the [[Horadric Cube]] D3, vs. 5 in Diablo II. There are reportedly 14 variations of each type of gemD2).

They can still be upgraded in a 3 gems of the same quality combine to become <1 gem ratio, though that is a step betterprocess requires the [[Jeweler]], rather than the 14th Variation is very exquisite{{iw|Horadric_ube Horadric Cube}}, and it's widely suspected that gems will require lots of gems to be craftedused in more than items, with a use in the [[Talisman]] perhaps making them even more valuable. It is estimated it will take 14,348,907  * Information about {{iw|gems of the lowest quality to make 1 gem of the highest qualityGems in Diablo II}}.

Gems found in Diablo 3 have evolved during the game's development. Early on, they were similar to World of Warcraft gems, with a "cut" listed in their properties. For instance, a "chipped star topaz" was seen in an early gameplay movie.  This feature was removed over time, and as of late 2010 gems are much closer to how they were in Diablo 2; no "cut" is listed, and they simply have quality levels; 14 of them (compared to 5 in Diablo 2). Gems grant bonuses when socketed into items of all types, and they might have other functions, such as in the [[BlizzCon 2008Talisman]] demo were much similar to ones .  ==Gem Types== A complete list of gems is not yet available. Most of the types found in Diablo 2 have been seen so far in Diablo 3, including [[Ruby|Rubies]], [[Sapphire]]s, [[Diablo IIEmerald]]s, as they had a colour[[Topaz]]es, and a quality[[Amethyst]]s. Different colour types would [[Diamond]]s have different themed effects on itemsnot been seen, but are expected. It's not known if [[Skull]]s will return, and or if there are any other precious stone types of gems yet to be revealed.  ==Upgrading Gems== Gems upgrade in D3 just as the quality would determine how big did in D2. Three of one level will combine into one of the effect would benext level. What was new was that they also had a "cut", like [http://wwwdiablo.worldofwarincgamers.com/blog/comments/jay-wilson-interview-tweakers.net/wiki] This is accomplished by taking the gems to the [[Jeweler]], rather than simply doing it yourself with a Horadric Cube, but the function is the same.  One improvement over Diablo 2 is that gems of like type/Jewelcrafting jewels from World level will stack up to 10 high in a single inventory space. Players will thus not sacrifice so much space for gem storage. Gems can be found at levels 1-5, and with a maximum level of 14, the process of WarCraft]upgrading a gem all the way to the top should be a '''very''' long term project. If the current 3>1 upgrading ratio remains unchanged, then it would require 1,594,323 level 1 gems to make a single level 14 gem (3^(14 - 1)). Names could like To give you an idea how long this: "Chipped Star Topaz"would take, implying just upgrading the gems that more sorts many times would take 664 hours of nonstop clicking, assuming you could complete one upgrade per second. The math isn't quite as daunting if you assume you'll be upgrading level 5 gems; it '''''only''''' requires 19,683 level 5 gems to make one level 14 gem names . Happily, Jay Wilson has said that they're open to tweaking the formulae if it's taking too long; instead of 3>1 they might turn it down to 2>1 at higher levels, as was done with higher level Runes in Diablo II. It would only require 512 L1 gems to upgrade to a L14, if the requirement was 2>1 all the way up.  ===Unsocketing Gem=== One key fact to consider is that in Diablo III, gems (and other socketables) can be removed from sockets, by the [[attributeJeweler]] bonuses, without losing the gem. This was not the case in Diablo II, where runes, gems, and jewels were in an item forever, or were destroyed by the unsocket recipe. This fundamentally alters the upgrading project, since instead of gems sitting useless in your stash until they are all the way to the top level (as they did in Diablo 2) , characters in Diablo III will be availableusing their highest level gems all the time, and gaining considerable benefits from the gem. If a character's goal is to gain a huge bonus from a L14 gem in their shield, they'll be using that type of gem at L9, L10, L11, and so on, as they slowly upgrade it towards L14. This should make the upgrading process seem a little less lengthy, especially as it will take weeks or months for each additional level of improvement with a high level gem.  ==Gem Bonuses==

Gems As for what the gems will still be inserted into [[socket]]provide bonuses to, that's on items and will likely have also unknown. The only recently confirmed stat is from a greater role to play in normal (level 3) [[Diablo IIIEmerald]] than it's predecessor, since as seen in the [[rune]]s now are associated with [[skill]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNP8QiNbFmU Gamescom 2010 Artisan video]s instead of items or [[runeword]]s.That gem granted:

The GamesCon [[Artisan]] video showed In Diablo 2, v1.13, a "normal level 3 emerald" as a socketable gem. It gave grants:* Weapons: +% casting speed to weapons, attacker takes 40 poison damage of x to over 5 seconds* Armor & Helms, and added : +5 dexterity to other items.* Shields: +22% Poison Resistance

==Official Comments==[[Bashiok]] commented briefly on item sockets and The numerical bonuses (but not the type of bonus) from gems have changed over the course of Diablo 2's patches, but clearly there are major differences in Februarymore than the numbers. Diablo 3 grants entirely different types of bonuses, 2009.[http://www.blizzblues.com/us/itemcustomizing-in-d3-14990774292and categorizes the socketable items differently as well.html]

::These changes are largely due to the game''We haven't released any information on our sites different combat mechanics and character requirements, but it was possible to collect were also somewhat required by the different itemization issues. For instance, [[socket]]ed [[itemSapphire]]s as well as gems in helms/armor grant +mana in Diablo 2, but +mana isn't a viable bonus in Diablo 3, since only the [[BlizzCon 2008|BlizzConWitch Doctor]] demo... The gem stats at this point are more or less just the basics {{iw|gems yanked from Diablo II}} to get the system running and have something to play around withhas mana for a resource.''