Skyrim:Gems

From left to right: Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Diamond

Gems are valuable gemstones that are used to create jewelry. They can be found randomly when mining ore veins, or in random loot. A separate page details soul gems, which are special types of gems used for soul trapping.

All of the items on this page are traded by jewelry merchants, and can also be sold to general goods merchants.

Valuable Gems

Most gems that you find are randomly generated, meaning that most of the possible locations are the same for all twelve types of gem. The gems that appear in randomly-generated loot depends on the player's level. The "Level (Loot)" column in the following table applies to most locations where gems are found; the "Level (Merchant)" column only applies to merchant inventories. Merchants do not stock diamonds, emeralds, or any flawless gems.

	Gem	Level (Loot)	Level (Merchant)
	Garnet	1	1
	Amethyst	1	6
	Flawless Garnet	4	N/A
	Ruby	8	12
	Flawless Amethyst	12	N/A
	Sapphire	16	24
	Flawless Ruby	20	N/A
	Emerald	24	N/A
	Flawless Sapphire	28	N/A
	Diamond	32	N/A
	Flawless Emerald	36	N/A
	Flawless Diamond	40	N/A

The leveled list is weighted so that the chances of high-level gems continue to increase as your level improves (e.g., flawless garnets are two times more likely to appear at level 6 than level 4), but there is always a chance of receiving even the lowest level gems.

The following table illustrates the possible outcomes of a single gem 'loot roll' at different character levels.

Levels
1	60.00%	40.00%
2-3	37.50%	62.50%
4-5	33.33%	55.56%	11.11%
6-7	30.00%	50.00%	20.00%
8-9	25.00%	41.67%	25.00%	8.33%
10-11	21.43%	35.71%	28.57%	14.29%
12-13	18.75%	31.25%	25.00%	18.75%	6.25%
14-15	16.67%	27.78%	22.22%	22.22%	11.11%
16-17	15.00%	25.00%	20.00%	20.00%	15.00%	5.00%
18-19	13.64%	22.73%	18.18%	18.18%	18.18%	9.09%
20-21	12.50%	20.83%	16.67%	16.67%	16.67%	12.50%	4.17%
22-23	11.54%	19.23%	15.38%	15.38%	15.38%	15.38%	7.69%
24-25	10.71%	17.86%	14.29%	14.29%	14.29%	14.29%	10.71%	3.57%
26-27	10.00%	16.67%	13.33%	13.33%	13.33%	13.33%	13.33%	6.67%
28-29	9.38%	15.63%	12.50%	12.50%	12.50%	12.50%	12.50%	9.38%	3.13%
30-31	8.82%	14.71%	11.76%	11.76%	11.76%	11.76%	11.76%	11.76%	5.88%
32-33	8.33%	13.89%	11.11%	11.11%	11.11%	11.11%	11.11%	11.11%	8.33%	2.78%
34-35	7.89%	13.16%	10.53%	10.53%	10.53%	10.53%	10.53%	10.53%	10.53%	5.26%
36-37	7.50%	12.50%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	7.50%	2.50%
38-39	7.14%	11.90%	9.52%	9.52%	9.52%	9.52%	9.52%	9.52%	9.52%	9.52%	4.76%
40-41	6.82%	11.36%	9.09%	9.09%	9.09%	9.09%	9.09%	9.09%	9.09%	9.09%	6.82%	2.27%
42-43	6.52%	10.87%	8.70%	8.70%	8.70%	8.70%	8.70%	8.70%	8.70%	8.70%	8.70%	4.35%
44-45	6.38%	10.64%	8.51%	8.51%	8.51%	8.51%	8.51%	8.51%	8.51%	8.51%	8.51%	6.38%
46+	6.25%	10.42%	8.33%	8.33%	8.33%	8.33%	8.33%	8.33%	8.33%	8.33%	8.33%	8.33%

Possible locations for random gems (all using the loot leveled list) are:

• Grelka's strongbox is guaranteed to contain three gems (more with Prowler's Profit; see below)
• All Dwarven centurions are guaranteed to drop 1-3 gems.
• Boss chests and jewelry boxes in Dwarven ruins are guaranteed to drop one gem.
• Asgeir Snow-Shod, Bashnag, Bolli, Gulum-Ei, Mercer Frey, and Vex always carry multiple gems
• Each time you mine an ore vein, there is a 10% chance of receiving one gem in addition to the ore(s) that you normally receive.
• Most boss chests have a 10-25% chance of containing a gem.
• Most other sources of random loot (chests, enemy NPCs, etc.) have a small chance (typically 1% or less) of containing a gem.

Prowler's Profit

Having the Prowler's Profit ability (from completing the quest No Stone Unturned) causes many more gems to appear. Specifically, 1-4 additional gems are guaranteed to appear in each of the following locations:

• Dropped by giants
• Dropped by dragons
• Carried by rich citizens
• All dead draugr (i.e., the ones that never come to life)
• Most treasure-type chests, including urns, burial urns, Thief Caches, and almost all boss chests
• An assortment of rare or unique containers such as the Confiscated Goods chests outside Riften, Aringoth's Safe, etc.

Possible outcomes for the extra gem roll:

1 gem	2 gems	3 gems	4 gems
9.375%	40.625%	40.625%	9.375%

This means that most of the time you will get 2-3 additional (leveled) gems.

Statistically, urns and burial urns are by far the most common source of Prowler's Profit gems; it is entirely possible, assuming you loot every urn and burial urn you come across, to collect gems at a much faster rate than you will be capable of selling them.

Gem Sources and Uses

General goods merchants generally have a 25% chance of stocking two gems, but only standard amethysts, garnets, rubies, and sapphires.

Note that although many of the gems listed below are guaranteed to occur, they can be difficult or even impossible to find, as gems are particularly prone to being scattered, especially during combat, and may end up coming to rest in a location where they cannot normally be accessed.

	Name (ID)			Notes
	Amethyst (00063b46)	0.1	120	Sources: Twenty-one guaranteed gems are found in 18 different locations. Locations with the greatest numbers are: Three centered 120 feet south-southeast of Hela's Folly (Winterhold) (map) Two in Valthume (The Reach) Can be mined from amethyst geodes on SolstheimDB Uses: One amethyst is one of two items needed at a forge to create a silver amethyst ring. An amethyst item (either an amethyst, a flawless amethyst, or a silver amethyst ring) is one of two items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a hostile storm atronach. An amethyst item is also one of three items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a sample of void salts. One amethyst can be used at the imbuing chamber device to create three shock spider scrolls.DB
	Diamond (00063b47)	0.1	800	Sources: Eight guaranteed gems are found in eight different locations: Hillgrund's Tomb (The Pale) Pinepeak Cavern (The Rift) Rannveig's Fast (Whiterun Hold) Riftweald Manor (Riften) One in a nook of a Orichalcum vein under Froki's Shack (The Rift) 150 feet south of Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon (The Pale) (map) 150 feet southeast of Shrine to Peryite (The Reach) (map) Carried by Amaund Motierre in The Bannered Mare (Whiterun) Uses: One diamond is one of two items needed at a forge to create a gold diamond ring.
	Emerald (00063b43)	0.1	600	Sources: Thirteen guaranteed gems are found in twelve different locations. The only location with multiple gems is: Two centered 320 feet west of Volskygge (Haafingar) (map), on the sides of the pillar at the base of the steps to the word wall. Can be mined from emerald geodes on SolstheimDB Uses: One emerald is one of two items needed at a forge to create a gold emerald ring. One emerald can be used at the imbuing chamber device to create three poison spider scrolls.DB
	Flawless Amethyst (0006851e)	0.1	180	Sources: Nine guaranteed gems are found in eight different locations: Two in Korvanjund Crypt (The Pale) One at 150 feet south of Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon (The Pale) (map) One at 370 feet south of Swindler's Den (Whiterun Hold) (map) One at 130 feet north-northwest of Blind Cliff Cave (The Reach) (map) One in Dustman's Cairn (Whiterun Hold) One in Skuldafn Temple (Eastmarch) One in Riftweald Manor (Riften) One in Inner Sanctum (Markarth) Uses: Two flawless amethysts are one of two items needed at a forge to create a gold jeweled necklace. An amethyst item (either an amethyst, a flawless amethyst, or a silver amethyst ring) is one of two items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a hostile storm atronach. An amethyst item is also one of three items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a sample of void salts. Three are needed for the quest Sealing the Deal. A flawless amethyst is needed to create the Shrine of Akatosh in the cellar of homesteads with the Hearthfire add-on. One flawless amethyst can be used at the imbuing chamber device to create six shock spider scrolls.DB Flawless amethysts were omitted from the VendorItemGem category. This means that they cannot be sold to jewelry merchants, but only to general goods merchants. The Unofficial Skyrim Patch, version 1.0, fixes this bug.
	Flawless Diamond (0006851f)	0.1	1000	Sources: Five guaranteed gems are found in four different locations: Two in Korvanjund Crypt (The Pale) One at 440 feet north-northwest of Reachwater Rock (The Reach) (map) in a derelict boat One in Skuldafn Temple (Eastmarch) One in Kagrenzel (Eastmarch) Uses: One flawless diamond is one of two items needed at a forge to create a gold diamond necklace.
	Flawless Emerald (00068520)	0.1	750	Sources: Seven guaranteed gems are found in seven different locations: Alftand Glacial Ruins (Winterhold) 160 feet east-southeast of Anise's Cabin (Falkreath Hold) (map) Korvanjund Crypt (The Pale) Riftweald Manor (Riften) Skuldafn Temple (Eastmarch) Valthume (The Reach) Uses: One flawless emerald is one of two items needed at a forge to create a silver emerald necklace. One flawless emerald can be used at the imbuing chamber device to create six poison spider scrolls.DB
	Flawless Garnet (00068521)	0.1	150	Sources: Eleven guaranteed gems are found in ten different locations. Two in Brittleshin Pass (Falkreath Hold), in the eyes of one of the sculptures. This is the only location with multiple flawless garnets. Korvanjund Crypt (The Pale) 430 feet north-northwest of Reachwater Rock (The Reach) (map), in a rowboat downstream in the river nearby Riftweald Manor (Riften) Skuldafn Temple (Eastmarch) Stillborn Cave (Winterhold) Ustengrav Depths (Hjaalmarch) If you released him, one can be found in Velehk Sain's treasure (map) Uses: Two flawless garnets are one of two items needed at a forge to create a silver jeweled necklace.
	Flawless Ruby (00068522)	0.1	350	Sources: Eight guaranteed gems are found in seven different locations: The Emperor's Quarters on the Katariah (Haafingar) Korvanjund Crypt (The Pale) 430 feet north-northwest of Reachwater Rock (The Reach) (map), in a rowboat downstream in the river nearby Shriekwind Bastion (Falkreath Hold) Carried by Amaund Motierre in The Bannered Mare (Whiterun) Two under the word wall in the Forgotten ValeDG In Damphall MineDB next to a lantern on the ground Uses: One flawless ruby is needed for the quest The Only Cure. One flawless ruby is one of two items needed at a forge to create a gold ruby necklace. A ruby item (either a ruby, a flawless ruby, a silver ruby ring, or a gold ruby necklace) is one of two items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a hostile flame atronach. A ruby item is also one of three items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a sample of fire salts. One flawless ruby can be used at the imbuing chamber device to create six flame spider scrolls.DB
	Flawless Sapphire (00068523)	0.1	500	Sources: Six guaranteed gems are found in five different locations: One in Inner Sanctum (Markarth), on the first bookcase to the left upon entry One in Korvanjund Crypt (The Pale), high up on a stone shelf, in a bowl to the southeast of the throne Two at The Aetherium ForgeDG, in a chest One in BenkongerikeDB, in a Riekling Hut One in Highpoint TowerDB, on a shelf Uses: Two flawless sapphires are needed for the quest Ringmaker. One flawless sapphire is one of two items needed at a forge to create a silver sapphire necklace. A sapphire item (either a sapphire, a flawless sapphire, a gold sapphire ring, or a silver sapphire necklace) is one of two items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a hostile frost atronach. A sapphire item is also one of three items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a sample of frost salts. Two flawless sapphires are required to craft the Aetherial CrownDG. A flawless sapphire is needed to create the Shrine of Kynareth in the cellar of homesteads with the Hearthfire add-on. One flawless sapphire can be used at the imbuing chamber device to create six frost spider scrolls.DB
	Garnet (00063b45)	0.1	100	Sources: Twenty-nine guaranteed gems are found in twenty-two different locations. Locations with multiple gems are: Five in Avanchnzel Animoncultory (The Rift) Two in Hall of Rumination (Winterhold) Two around Bannermist Tower (Falkreath Hold) Two in Korvanjund Halls (The Pale) Two in Frossel DB Uses: One garnet is one of two items needed at a forge to create a silver garnet ring.
	Ruby (00063b42)	0.1	200	Sources: Twenty-two guaranteed gems are found in eighteen different locations. Locations with multiple gems are: Three in The Midden (Winterhold) Two in Shriekwind Bastion (Falkreath Hold) Two around Orphan Rock (Falkreath Hold) Can be mined from ruby geodes on SolstheimDB Uses: One ruby is one of two items needed at a forge to create a silver ruby ring. A ruby item (either a ruby, a flawless ruby, a silver ruby ring, or a gold ruby necklace) is one of two items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a hostile flame atronach. A ruby item is also one of three items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a sample of fire salts. One ruby can be used at the imbuing chamber device to create three flame spider scrolls.DB
	Sapphire (00063b44)	0.1	400	Sources: Ten guaranteed gems are found in seven different locations. Locations with multiple gems are: Three around Hela's Folly (Winterhold) Two in Riften (The Rift) (map) on Sapphire Can be mined from sapphire geodes on SolstheimDB Uses: One sapphire is one of two items needed at a forge to create a gold sapphire ring. A sapphire item (either a sapphire, a flawless sapphire, a gold sapphire ring, or a silver sapphire necklace) is one of two items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a hostile frost atronach. A sapphire item is also one of three items needed at the Atronach Forge to create a sample of frost salts. One sapphire can be used at the imbuing chamber device to create three frost spider scrolls.DB

Other

These items are classified internally as gems, but have other special uses.

	Name (ID)			Notes
	Exquisite SapphireDB (xx039e4e)	0.2	5000	Quest: Paid in Full
	Mark of Dibella (00041f95)	0.5	0	Quest: Caught Red Handed
	Meridia's Beacon (0004e4e6)	0.5	0	Quest: The Break of Dawn
	Right Eye of the Falmer (001092b8)	5	2500	Quest reward for the quest Blindsighted. Unlike the Left Eye of the Falmer, it cannot be used for the quest The Litany of Larceny. Shadowfoot SanctumCC contains a special holder for this item.
	Soul Gem Fragment (00067181) (00067184) (00067182) (00067185) (00067183)	0.1	5	These are nothing more than minor loot. They cannot be used or transformed into a true soul gem. With the Arcane Archer Pack Creation, these can be used to craft Soul Gem Arrowheads, used to create Soul Stealer Arrows.
	Warped Soul Gem (0006a106) (0006a109) (0006a107) (0006a110) (0006a108) (0010e44b)	0.5	0	Quest: Arniel's Endeavor

Notes

• Circlets contain onyx, jade, and blue moonstone. However, the gem inserts (and, in the cases of the Sapphire and Emerald Jade Circlets, the entire band) are only found in this headwear and not as separate gems.
• Real-life gems amber, corundum, malachite and moonstone appear as smithing materials (ingots and ores) but not as separate gems.
• Pearls appear as alchemy ingredients, but not as jewelry components.