Random Gemstones
| d% | Value | Average Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 01–25 | 4d4 gp 10 gp | Banded, eye, or moss agate; azurite; blue quartz; hematite; lapis lazuli; malachite; obsidian; rhodochrosite; tiger eye turquoise; freshwater (irregular) |
| 26–50 | 2d4×10 gp 50 gp | Bloodstone; carnelian; chalcedony; chrysoprase; citrine; iolite, jasper; moonstone; onyx; peridot; rock crystal (clear quartz); sard; sardonyx; rose, smoky, or star rose quartz; zircon |
| 51–70 | 4d4×10 gp 100 gp | Amber; amethyst; chrysoberyl; coral; red or brown-green garnet; jade; jet; white, golden, pink, or silver pearl; red spinel, red-brown or deep green spinel; tourmaline |
| 71–90 | 2d4×100 gp 500 gp | Alexandrite; aquamarine; violet garnet; black pearl; deep blue spinel; golden yellow topaz |
| 91–99 | 4d4×100 gp 1,000 gp | Emerald; white, black, or fire opal; blue sapphire; fiery yellow or rich purple corundum; blue or black star sapphire; star ruby |
| 100 | 2d4×1,000 gp 5,000 gp | Clearest bright green emerald; blue-white, canary, pink, brown, or blue diamond; jacinth |
Gemstones
This is a compilation of actual gemstones, but it is not meant to reflect actuality. That is, it is aimed at use in a fantasy world environment, not as a treatise on gemology.
Table 2:9 Birth Stones, Lucky & Planetary Stones by Astrological Sign
| Astrological Sign | Birth Stone | Lucky Stone | Planetary Stone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) | Agate, Garnet, Ruby | Ruby | Lapis Lazuli |
| Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) | Amethyst, Moss Agate | Turquoise | Amethyst, Garnet |
| Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) | Bloodstone,Sapphire | Amethyst | Aquamarine |
| Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) | Bloodstone, Diamond | Bloodstone, Diamond | Jasper |
| Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) | Amber, Coral, Turquoise | Diamond | Quartz, Emerald |
| Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) | Chrysoprase, Pearl | Agate, Emerald | Tigereye |
| Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) | Emerald, Moonstone | Chalcedony | Moonstone |
| Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) | Onyx, Sardonyx | Amber, Onyx, Peridot | Rock Crystal |
| Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) | Cornelian, Jade, Jasper | Cornelian, Sardonyx | Citrine |
| Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) | Lapis Lazuli, Opal | Chrysolite Opal, Sardonyx | Sapphire |
| Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) | Aquamarine, Topaz | Aquamarine, Beryl | Garnet, Ruby |
| Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) | Topaz, Turquoise | Topaz, Pearl | Topaz |
Table 2.10 Birth Stones
| Month | Arcane | Western | Eastern |
|---|---|---|---|
| January: | Emerald or Rose Quartz | Agate or Garnet | Garnet |
| February: | Onyx or Moonstone | Amethyst | Amethyst |
| March: | Jade or Rock Crystal | Bloodstone | Bloodstone |
| April: | Quartz or White Sapphire | Diamond | Diamond |
| May: | Chrysoprase or Golden Beryl | Emerald | Agate |
| June: | Moonstone or Common | Opal | Alexandrite or Moonstone Pearl |
| July: | Cornelian | Ruby | Ruby |
| August: | Jade | Peridot or Sardonyx | Sapphire |
| September: | Diamond or Chrysoberyl | Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli or Agate | Moonstone |
| October: | Pink Tourmaline, Aquamarine | Tourmaline or Jasper | Opal, precious |
| November: | Citrine or Pearl | Citrine Topaz | Topaz |
| December: | Lapis Lazuli or Onyx | Zircon or Turquoise | Jade |
Table 2:11 Metal/Stone/Gems, d20 Spells, Magic Items, and General Game Effects
In the core rules of the d20 game system dealing with magic, magic items cost money to create. It stands to reason that expensive components would likely be rare objects, such as rare flora, elements of rare fauna, or rare minerals. The stone’s table provides you with suggestions to consider when developing magic items. For example, a sunsword would probably have one or more topaz gems embedded in its pommel, or perhaps powdered into the metal used to create it.
The gems could be used as optional power components, if you use that variant rule to replace XP loss with the consumption of a costly item, but this depends on your campaign and note that XP loss is a better form of limiting power for PCs than material loss.
Another option would be a variant rule to allow spellcasters to use gems for a little extra help or power. You could use the gems as a sort of focus to boost spells—with the focus being consumed after the spell is cast. Depending on the value of the stone and the spell being cast, it might provide one of the following effects:
Anywhere from a +1 to +4 increase in the DC to resist, if the spell has a saving throw.
Anywhere from a +1 to +4 bonus to overcome spell resistance.
The effects of the feats Extend Spell, Expand Spell, or Empower Spell for the spell being cast, without requiring a higher-level spell slot.
The effects of the Heighten Spell feat, limited to an increase of 1-2 levels, without requiring a higher-level spell slot.
Use your best judgment based on the rarity, the cost, and the properties of the gem, as well as game balance needs.
| Agate | Read Alignment, Zone of Truth, Tongues, Detect Thoughts |
| Agate, Amethystine | Detect Chaos, Protection from Chaos, Dispel Chaos, Word of Chaos |
| Agate, Blue | Laced Bestow Curse, Charm Person, Emotion, Dominate Person |
| Agate, Botswana | Minor Creation, Secret Chest, Major Creation, Fabricate, Mind Fog |
| Agate, Geode | All psionic powers; all enchantment spells |
| Agate, Moss | Bless, Divine Favor, Remove Fear, Restoration |
| Agate, with fossils | Locate Object, Major Creation, Fabricate, Legend Lore, Vision, Discern Location |
| Amber | Any spell or magic item that resists negative emotions |
| Amethyst | Wisdom-enhancing magics, removal/protection from intoxicants |
| Apatite | Comphrehend languages, Tongues, any language-dependent spell |
| Apatite, Blue | Any psionic power |
| Aquamarine | Any spell that wards or dispells fear, Water breathing, Restoration, Greater restoration. |
| Aventurine Quartz, Blue | Intellegence-ehancing magics, Dispel magic, Anti-magic field, Disjunction, Wounding weapons, Periapt of wound closure, anything that protects one from gas attacks |
| Beryl | Intellegence boosting magic, anything that increases skill checks, items that can help detect secret doors and traps, items that help rogues skills |
| Bloodstone | Lower level creation (healing) Cure spells, Remove disease |
| Chalcedony, Chrysoprase | Any item that increases Wisdom, Charm Monster, Charm Person |
| Citrine Quartz | Any evocation that deals with energies, Ethereal Jaunt, Astral Projection, Plane Shift, Gate, any magic item dealing with other planes/dimensions |
| Coral | Emotion, Resistance, Protection from Evil, Calm Emotions |
| Cornelean | Divine Favor, Invisibility to Undead, Remove Fear, Endurance, Augury |
| Diamond | See Invisibility, Undetectable Alignment; True Seeing |
| Diopside | Effects that improve ability scores as with Bulls Strength, Cats Grace etc. |
| Emerald | Foresight, Find the Path, Animal Friendship, Detect Animals or Plants, Invisibility to Animals, Charm Person or Animal |
| Flint | Dictum, Command, Shout, Dominate Person |
| Garnet | Neutralize Poison, Aid, Sanctuary |
| Hematite | Entropic Shield, Break Enchantment, Spell Turning |
| Iolite | Magic Circle against Evil, Healing Circle |
| Iron pyrite | Mislead, Suggestion, Clone, Alter Self, Any item or spell that is of the illusion school |
| Jade, Green | Any item or spell that directly boosts saving throws |
| Jade, Yellow | Any item or spell that directly boosts saving throws |
| Jasper, Green | Any spell or item of the Healing domain or the Emotion spell |
| Jasper, Red | Any spell or item of the Protection domain |
| Kunzite | Passwall, Phase Door |
| Labradorite Feldspar | Various Divination Spells; restoration of Wisdom or Intelligence points |
| Lapis Lazuli | Mind Blank, Ring of Mind Shielding,Ring of X-ray Vision,Gem of Seeing, Blindness, Remove Blindness, any spell that is part of the Conjuration (healing) school |
| Malachite | Change Self, Alter Self, Polymorph Self, Shape Change,Sleep and sleep based effects |
| Moldavite | True Seeing, Gem of Seeing, Zone of Truth, Discern Lies |
| Moonstone | Sancutary, Tiny Hut, Control Weather, Discern Location |
| Moonstone, Blue-White | N/A |
| Moonstone, Golden | N/A |
| Moonstone, Gray | N/A |
| Moss Agate | Various spells affecting nature, most Druid spells, Plant and Animal Cleric domains |
| Mother of Pearl | Any item or spell of the Aburation school or Protection Domain |
| Obsidian | Dispel Evil, Restoration, Greater Restoration |
| Obsidian, Black | Anything that increases Wisdom or wisdom-based skills |
| Obsidian, Reddish | Augury, Divination, Death Ward |
| Octahedron | Mending, Fabricate, Creation (minor & major) |
| Onyx, Black | Death Ward, virtually any spell or magic item dealing with the Necromancy or Evocation schools that cause damage/destruction |
| Onyx, White | Enhances Creation (healing) and virtually any spell with the “good” descriptor |
| Opal, Black | Mind Blank, Ring of Mind Sheilding,general psionic powers, general magic items that use spells from the Evocation school. Various Illusions (Figments and Glamours), anything that protects from scrying or detection (Misdirection, Screen, Secret page, Illusionary Script) |
| Opal, fire | Endure Elements (Fire), Resist Elements (Fire), Fire Shield (Warm), Ring of Fire Resistance, Armor of Fire Resistance, Shield of Fire Resistance |
| Opal, Precious | Emotion (hope), See Invisibility, True Seeing, Scrying (across planes) |
| Pearl | Anything that enhances Charisma based attributes or skills |
| Peridot | Anything that enhances Strength or Constitution |
| Petrified Wood | Protection from Chaos, Order’s Wrath, Shield of Law |
| Quartz, Blue | Anything that enhances Wisdom or Will saves, protection/immunity to fear, divination magic that points in the direction of a solution like Commune, Augury, Find the Path, etc. |
| Quartz, Clear Crystal | N/A |
| Quartz, Rose | Divinations dealing with the future, all Charm spells, Bless, and Aid |
| Quartz, Rutilated | Any item or spell of the Conjuration school |
| Quartz, Smoky | Emotion,any fear causing spell/item |
| Rhodocrosite | Any item or spell providing protection from surprise |
| Rhodonite | Any item or spell serving as protection versus fear or insanity |
| Ruby | Expeditious Retreat, Detect Secret Doors, Freedom, Freedom of Movement |
| Sapphire, Blue | Spells that protect against enchantments, divination, that compels truth or detects lies |
| Sapphire, White | Virtually all abjuration effects, Wall of Force, Forcecage, other force-based protections, Prismatic Wall, Prismatic Sphere, Sanctuary, Protection against ingested poisons |
| Silver | Protection from Elements, Secure Shelter |
| Soapstone | Effects that improve ability scores. (Bulls Strength, Cats Grace) |
| Sodalite | Enhances any Enchantment spell that is sonic or language dependent. Abjuration spells vs. evil |
| Sulfur | Virtually any psionic effect, any Enchantment spell (including charms and compulsions), protection from diseases, Periapt of Wound Closure |
| Sunstone | Any spell or item of the Healing or Good domain, or any positive Necromantic spell |
| Tanzanite | Any spell that affects NPC reactions to reduce hostility |
| Tektite | Banishment, magic circles |
| Tiger’s eye | Healing and Knowledge domains; Clairvoyance |
| Topaz | Color Spray, Glitterdust,Daylight, Continual Flame |
| Tourmaline (any) | Cat’s Grace, Endurance, Haste, Mnemonic Enhancer |
| Tourmaline, Green | Mass Haste |
| Tourmaline, Pink | Demand, Irresistible Dance |
| Tourmaline, Rubellite | Transformation, Iron Body |
| Turquoise | Any spell or item of the Healing and Good Domains, or beneficial Adjuration spells |
Table 2:12 Magical Affects of Metal and Stone for the Lejendary Adventure Game
| Metal/Stone | Legendary Effects |
|---|---|
| Agate | Discernment, Understanding of Others and Circumstances. |
| Agate, Amethystine | Moving, Change, Chaos |
| Agate, Blue laced | Femininity, Emotion, Precognition |
| Agate, Botswana | Gifts, Small Pleasures, Complacency |
| Agate, Geode | Psionic Powers |
| Agate, Moss | Peace of mind, Purifying |
| Agate, with Fossils | Treasure, Lost Lore, and Relics |
| Amazonite Feldspar | Guards and Strengthens the Heart, Self Worth and Confidence |
| Amber | Brighten Mood, Bring Happiness |
| Amethyst | Peace, Increase of Spirituality, Sobriety, Intuition, Psychic Awareness |
| Apatite | Clear Speech |
| Apatite, Blue | Psychic Invigoration and Power |
| Aquamarine | Courage, Harmony, Protection from Drowning, Soothing of Mind, Lessening Grief |
| Aventurine Quartz, Blue | Creativity, Cleansing and Balance of Energy, Blood and Breathing |
| Aventurine Quartz, Green | Decisiveness, Internal Health and Healing |
| Beryl | Understanding of Problems and Puzzles |
| Bloodstone | Healing of Wounds, Fighting Internal Parasites |
| Chalcedony, Chrysoprase | Compassion, Wisdom |
| Citrine Quartz | Physical Energy, Access to the Non-Corporeal Realms |
| Coral | Mental & Emotional Strength |
| Cornelean | Wards Against Deadly Sins, Intellect and Creativity, Courage, Strength |
| Diamond | Mental Power and Insight, Energy |
| Diopside | Muscular Fitness, Mental Fitness |
| Emerald | Fertility and Rebirth, Mental and Physical Strength and Healing, Spring, Love |
| Flint | Rational thinking, Conviction, Determination |
| Flourite | Common Sense, Impartiality, Internal Organs |
| Garnet | Contentment, Protection from Poisons, Robust Health |
| Hematite | Cheerfulness, Hope |
| Iolite | Inner peace, Meditation and Spirituality, Anti-Toxin |
| Iron Pyrite | Deception and Misunderstanding |
| Jade, Green | Good fortune, Beauty |
| Jade, Yellow | Good luck |
| Jasper, Green | Happiness, Protection, Healing |
| Jasper, Red | Attainment of Goals, Wards Against the Negative, Calmness |
| Kunzite | Removes obstacles, Mental balance and calm emotion |
| Labradorite Feldspar | Balance Between the Mind and Spirit, Psychic Insight |
| Lapis Lazuli | Strength of Will & Clarity of Thought and Awareness, Eyesight, healing, Children |
| Malachite | Transformation of Self, Balanced Judgement, Concord with Others, Promotes sleep |
| Moldavite | Discerning , Falsehoods |
| Moonstone | Serenity, Balance of Energy, Internal Health, Mental Healing |
| Moonstone, Blue-White | Enhances Powers of Other Clear-White to Blue Minerals, Cools |
| Moonstone, Golden | Enhances Powers of Other Yellow to Red Minerals |
| Moonstone, gray | Enhances Powers of Other Dark Minerals |
| Moss agate | Attunement to Nature, Flora and Fauna |
| Mother of Pearl | Warding and Protection, Wealth |
| Obsidian | Dispel Negative Energy |
| Obsidian, Black | Common Sense |
| Obsidian, Reddish | Decisiveness, Clearing Confusion |
| Octahedron | Channels Energy into Work |
| Onyx, Black | Resistance to Negativity, Focus and Control of Destructive/Negative Energy |
| Onyx, White | Increase of Positive Energy, Focus and Control of Constructive Energy |
| Opal, Black | Mystery, Power of Mind, Power Direction |
| Opal, Fire | Action, Protection from Fire |
| Opal. Precious | Hope, Observation and Sight into the Spiritual Realms |
| Pearl | Love, Personal Influence |
| Peridot | Energy, Strength. |
| Petrified Wood | Law, Cognitive Clarity |
| Quartz, Blue | Moral strength, Resolution, Wards Against Fears |
| Quartz, Clear | Crystal Amplify Other Personal or Mineral Energy |
| Quartz, Rose | Compassion, Love, Positive Mental Attitude and Sensing Opportunity |
| Quartz, Rutilated | Creativity |
| Quartz, Smoky | Mental Control of Emotions |
| Rhodocrosite | Capacity to Deal with the Unexpected |
| Rhodonite | Love, Blood and Courage |
| Ruby | Love, Passion, Persistence, Freedom and Mobility |
| Sapphire, Blue | Divinity, Mental Clarity and Cleansing of Thoughts, Sincerity |
| Sapphire, White | Protection |
| Silver | Survival & Impoverishment |
| Soapstone | Adaptability, Daring |
| Sodalite | Oration, Speech, Wards Against Evil and the Negative |
| Sulfur | Mental power, Wards Against Infections and Disease |
| Sunstone | Healing, Health, and Vigor, Warms |
| Tanzanite | Disposition and Cheerfulness |
| Tektite | Banishing, Wards Against Infernal Creatures |
| Tiger’s Eye | Seeing and Sensing, Clear Thought, Increases Vision, Heals Bones |
| Topaz | Sight, Fire and Warmth, the Sun, Courage |
| Tourmaline (any) | Energy, Activity |
| Tourmaline, Green | Vigor and Virility |
| Tourmaline, Pink | Vigor and Femininity |
| Tourmaline, Rubellite | Strength of Will and Determination |
| Turquoise | Good health,Wards Against Disease and Evil |
Suggested Values
The variables involved in setting anything like a “real” worth for gemstones are: hardness, durability (not necessarily linked to hardness), rarity of the stone, color, clarity (or other factor in translucent, opaque, or various special gems such as opals, pearls), weight, cut (or “skin” of a pearl), and demand—the popularity of the gemstone material in a particular culture and society. Thus, in a fantasy environment the make-believe worth of any gemstone is not fixed by actual market values.
If you are not relying on gemstone values given in a roleplaying game, then this chart might be used as a base for establishing the worth of the various sorts of stones. Assume all values are for fine specimens of their type. All stones are not listed, but the examples given should suffice for the individual to place any non-named stone into a grouping. Remember that rare and desired stones will have a commensurately higher value than similar ones that are easily available and/or not popular.
All values assume retail cost. “Trade” cost is about 50% retail worth. “Wholesale” value is about 25% retail worth. Unique stones, such as huge jewels and the like have no “trade” or “wholesale value” at all. They are always worth from about 70% to 120% of their retail value, the percent age depending on total worth, the greater the worth, the higher the percentage applicable.
Uncut/rough material is assumed to be at 10% to 15% of the price stated for finished material. Exceptions to this are very large crystals, mineral-masses, and substances where finishing does not dramatically reduce the weight of the material. In such cases the worth of the uncut/rough material is from 20% to 30% of the finished work.
Jewels
Diamond, emerald, ruby (blood red), sapphire (blue)—also any very rare stones; $3,500 to $5,000 for a one-carat well-cut stone. For all stones in this category add 10% cumulative to the per carat value for each full carat above one.
Diamonds that are “flawless”, have a color—blue, green, bright yellow—and are above 10 carats in weight add an additional 10% cumulative per carat value above 10 carats due to their rarity, color, brilliance, and general demand.
Rubies that are “flawless”, are of pigeon’s blood hue, and are above 10 carats in weight add 15% cumulative per carat value due to their rarity, color, brilliance, and general demand.
Black (precious) opal that is in cut form and above five carats in weight is a jewel, and so has a value of $3,500 to $5,000 per carat; any carat weight above 10 carats add an additional 10% cumulative per carat value above 10 because of their rarity, color, and general demand.
Precious Stones
Alexandrite chrysoberyl (green showing red in artificial light), black (precious) opal, jade (emerald green), sapphire (other than blue), spinel (red); $1,500 to $2,500 for a one-carat well-cut stone. For all stones in this category add 10% cumulative to the per carat value for each full carat above one.
Semi-Precious Stones
Beryl, chrysoberyl, fire opal, green garnet, precious opal (not black), spinel (other than red), spodumene (both types), tanzanite (best blue), topaz, tourmaline; $500 to $1,000 for a one-carat well-cut stone. For all stones in this category add 5% cumulative to the per carat value for each full carat above one.
Fancy Stones
Cornelian, jadeite (pure green or violet), moonstone (whitish), nephrite (pure emerald green), opal (common), pearl (rare colors, spherical or pear-shaped and fine), peridot, spinel (red), zircon; $100 to $350 for a onecarat well-cut stone. For all stones in this category add 5% cumulative to the per carat value for each full carat above one.
Ornamental Stones
Amber, amethyst and other quartz stones (not otherwise noted above), coral, garnet (not otherwise noted), ivory, jadeite (other), lapis lazuli, malachite, moonstone (non-whitish), nephrite (other), pearl (other than noted above), turquoise; $1 to $50 for a one-carat wellcut stone.
Weights
A carat weighs 200 milligrams. There are 2,835 milligrams to an ounce, and one pound (16 ounces) avoirdu-pois is thus 45,360 milligrams. A one-carat gemstone, 200 milligrams, thus weighs about 0.07 of an ounce, a 10-carat stone weighs about 0.705 ounces, while a massive 100- carat stone comes in at 7.05 ounces. If one came upon a 1,000 carat gemstone, it wold weigh 70.54 ounces (4.41 pounds), while a massive, 10,000 carat stone (or that many one-carat ones…) would top out at 705.4 ounces (44.1 pounds). So now you know why precious gemstones have been the means of carrying large amounts of wealth for a long, long time!
