What Gem Should I Use?

There are only four types of gems in the game each with three different effects based on the type of equipment they are used in. There are 4 primary stats and then some miscellaneous effects like + Critical Damage, + Experience, etc. It’s easy to overlook that there are two ways to add damage to your weapon or that you can add experience to your helmet instead of life.

For reference, here are the gem stats, below is a simple step by step explanation of what to use and when.


Amethyst
+ % Life (in helm)
+ Vitality
+ Life Steal (in weapon)

Emerald
+ % Extra Gold From Monsters (in helm)
+ Dexterity
+ Critical Damage Increased by 15%

Ruby
Increases experienced rewarded per kill by % (in helm)
+ Strength
+ Damage (in weapon)

Topaz
+ % Better Chance of Finding Magical Items (in helm)
+ Intelligence
Attackers take damage per hit (in weapon)

Helmet Slot

1) Do you die really often? Then use an Amethyst (+ life)

2) Are you leveling? Then use a Ruby (+ experience)

Otherwise, use Topaz (Magic Find) or Emerald (Gold Find)

Weapon Slot

1) Do you die really often? Then use an Amethyst (+ Life Steal)

2) Use either an Emerald (+ Critical Damage) or Ruby (+ Damage)

Should you use Emerald or Ruby in your weapon? I don’t know the exact math for each class, but it seems like + Critical Damage (the Emerald) is better for most if not all classes. It really depends on your existing statistics though. What you can do is buy a Square of each type (they are cheap) and test your weapon with each of the color gems in them to see which one is better. I find that the Emerald of the same quality is usually about 10% more overall damage per second.

* you could also use a Topaz for a thorn effect (attackers take damage) but I’m not sure why you would do this. Perhaps for PvP someday?

All Other Slots

1) Are you dying a lot? Then use an Amethyst (+ Vitality)

2) Otherwise:

Demon Hunter & Monks -> Emerald (+Dexterity and therefore more damage)

Wizard & Witch Doctor -> Topaz (+Intellect and therefore more damage)

Barbarian -> Ruby (+Strength and therefore more damage)

Important: Many of the strategies and tips I share here were originally inspired by the people at the Diablo 3 Gold Secrets Forum. If you're serious about making the big bucks in Diablo 3, or just being the best players, you need to signup ASAP.

Leave a comment

2 Comments.

  1. I hadn’t really looked into using an emerald in my weapon. Thanks for the tip.

  2. Helm orange and green are switched… Topaz gives MF% and emerald gives gold%

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