Let's face it. The only use for them in Oblivion was to sell them, right? So today I was pondering on how they could actually be used in Skyrim. And I was thinking they could be used somewhere along the lines of smithing. Before I say more, you guys must know this is MY idea if I was creating the game so feel free to agree/disagree. I was thinking what if each gem (emerald, ruby, diamond, ect.) had a unique feature and power to them? This is how smithing comes in:

Once your smithing skill reaches a certain level along with your character's level, you would then have a perk unlocked which would then give you the ability to embed desired gem into a weapon, sort of like Diablo II, but much more advanced. For example having the gem visible on the weapon, effects when hitting a target (non-magic), increases durability, damage and even price to the weapon. I just thought this would be a cool little feature that could get added to the game. If not, would a moderator move this thread to the appropriate forum/thread?

Note: This could also be part of enchanting, not just smithing.

Thoughts? Opinions? Rude remarks?

Discuss.

In Morrowind you could eat gems and use them for alchemy.

I wouldn`t mind seeing this again.

Not sure if serious...


Oh wait that's right. Invisibility was one of its effects.

I am serious.

Couldn't get into Morrowind. But at least I know they had a purpose in that game anyway. Maybe we will have something to do with them in Skyrim this time in that case. Maybe.

Only early in the game, and even then just barely. I hated how even flawless diamonds sold for like a hundred each. At higher levels I didn't even bother picking them up. I hope they make gems actually worth something.

Perhaps they could be used to decorate weapons when forging.

That's basically what I'm saying in a nutshell...added with some effects with it.

Well, I see no problem with them implementing that. I think it's a fairly good idea.

Appreciate it. If it's not in...it could definitely be considered a feature for the future...TES: VI.

You display them, r collect them, or RP with them. I would like for them to be alchemical ingredients again. Or used as an aesthetic only when forging/smithing.

Maybe you can become skilled as a jeweler and tailor, and make custom jewelery out of them and add them to clothes you could make.

I hope they will do a dual Economy with two currencies since Skyrim is divided with Anti/Pro Empire and that gems would be used as a medium when exchanging 1 form of currency for the other.
If this doesn't make sense you can take a gander at this exhaustive read about Economy here:

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1178959-ideas-for-modders-concerning-skyrims-economy/page__p__17446397#entry17446397

I also think gems should be used for Alchemy and/or Smithing and should be a lot more rare and valuable than they were in Oblivion.

More than likely the currency is based on a precious metal. That does wonders for exchange rates. Whether it's a septim or something else, that quantity of gold will be worth the same, regardless.

As for gems, eh. I'm perfectly fine with them being sold for gold (especially if gold has weight). I suppose it might be interesting to seem the required in crafting, but I'd be fine without it.

I'd just like to embed gems into weapons. They don't need effects because they don't have effects, purely aesthetic. You want effects, go enchant it. But gems on swords to make ceremonial/ornate weapons = yes.

why wouldnt it be possible to like maybe forge a DIAMOND edged weapon for extra slicing action more damage, durabitity etc.?

Why not have sockets in weapons/amor for the gems to go in and it gives you bonuses to hp, magicka, stamina, perks, running speed, regeneration rate, etc. etc.

I'd like that very much, because I totally I agree with you OP on the fact that gems were completely worthless. I'd rather find extra torches than diamonds in OB..

I'm a barbarian, not a pimp. Besides, that would be too much like Age of Conan. I say bring back alchemical effects and jack up the price substantially for flawless and even regular gems. That way only flawed gems are tempting and worthwhile to use in alchemy.

Isn't being sold for money a use for gems? Using them in a kind of socket system is a fine idea. They could also go into magic rings or other kinds of crafting.

And how, exactly, do you forge a diamond? And any modern use of diamond edged implements that I can think of use small particles of diamonds for abrasive cutting. Not slicing.

That said, I suppose you could look at the Central American obsidian edged swords for an example, but good luck finding the diamonds big enough to do something like those.

That would be a little hard on someone's teeth don't you think? Frankly, I'm fine with just being able to sell them. Not everything in the game has to have some sort of magical property.

100 gold for something that essentially had no weight, why on earth wouldn't you pick them up?

Wow, you're joking/trolling right?

You could just swallow them.

Besides, it makes sense for gems to have magical properties. To bring an example of how much sense this makes (in a fantasy game), in real life some superstitious people believe that certain types of gems protect from diseases, evil and bring luck.

It`s not so hard to give them magical properties. For all gems, resist magicka and restore magicka can apply. For emeralds, resist poison. For rubies, resist fire. You get the idea...

....just like in Diablo 2