Gemstone
Gemstones are small pieces of mineral crystal or similar hard substances prized for their appearance and rarity.
Agate, the gemstone, came in many forms and colours, most considered ornamental stones or hardstones in Aetheus. Agates were a form of chalcedony, making them a part of the large family of gems and minerals.
Common varieties in Aetheus included:
ORNAMENTAL STONES
Agni mani was given to certain tektites—glass-like objects formed when hot meteors fell from the sky and struck sand. They were typically found in Vashara and other deserts around Aetheus. An opaque black gem made of meteoric glass, worth around 10 gp. Agni mani specifically meant the black variety of these irregularly shaped objects. They were used unmodified in magic items, or bits of them were sewn into garments for their protective quality. This gemstone could absorb a small random portion of an explosive blast, such as produced by a fireball or beads of force, vaporizing in the process. Agni manis only protected the being that was carrying or wearing them.
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
An opaque brown or yellowish-brown semi-precious stone is common in Aetheus. Also known as clinzoisite. It is worth around 50 gp. This gem was named for its brown to yellowish-brown colour that resembled a well-aged ale. It was mined in crystal form and usually facet cut into fashionable gems. Alestone had the ability to deflect missiles away from itself. A being wearing one or more alestones was slightly less likely to hit projectiles (any number of alestone gems greater than zero was equally effective). Conversely, it was somewhat difficult to catch a thrown alestone or quickly grab a stationary one. Some adventurers called alestone a "scatterer".
Alexandrite was once considered a fancy stone, but it had surged in price to that of a precious stone. A transparent dark green gemstone worth around 500gp. In folk belief, Alexandrite is reputed to give good omens. This transparent gem was a form of chrysoberyl green in hue under natural light but appeared reddish when viewed under non-natural lights such as arcane light spells. It was usually facet cut and used for jewellery such as earrings or pendants. Alexandrites were used as a magic focus for items that provided good luck, favourable reactions, protection, or other good omens. Examples included luck stones and the cursed lodestone.
Algae was an ornamental stone found in Aetheus used as decoration on baldrics (bandoliers), belts, and inlay on fine furniture. A type of opaque quartz with dark brown wavy patterns, worth around 10 gp. Algae was a variety of quartz similar to banded agate, but the bands were wavy and usually found in shades of dark brown. These gemstones were usually cut a cabochon or sliced and polished to a glassy finish to bring out the design.
A being in direct contact with algae or wearing it was more likely to resist polymorphing effects caused by spells, psionic attacks, and other arcane or divine shape-altering enchantments. This resistance was conferred whether the subject was willing or not.
A valuable soft green gemstone is unique to Aetheus, where it also called "shield-stone". It is noted for the magical property to absorb electricity. It is worth around 4,000 gp. It occurred as nodules on old rock strata—canyon walls on the surface exposed by time or below in the Underdark—and often in groups of a dozen or more.
When rounded and polished into spheres, shieldstone was a sparkling pale green to greenish-white. This gem was soft enough that it needed to be protectively mounted and worn or placed in locations that did not expose the stone to impacts that might chip or shatter it—rings, staves, or helmets were to be avoided, but necklaces, belts, or brooches were appropriate, as circumstances dictated. A typical specimen was 1 in (25 mm) in diameter and had an original base value of 4,000 gp, as they became more scarce, the price rose to 5,000 gp.
Shieldstone got its name from its ability to attract and absorb electrical discharges within about a 10-ft (3 m) radius. Unfortunately, the gems vaporized as they did so. Minor sparks from static electricity had no noticeable effect on amaratha. Still, once the charge reached a dangerous threshold, like a shocking grasp or a jolt from an electric eel, these stones absorbed a fraction of the energy proportional to the diameter of the stone, i.e., a 2-inch diameter stone that absorbed half of its capacity would vaporize down to a 1-inch stone, and being exposed to the same electrical energy again would cause it to vanish entirely. Any excess electricity not neutralized was felt by the target(s) of the bolt.
Wands that protected from fire, cold, electricity, acid, or sonic energy were especially effective when they incorporated a shieldstone in their creation.
Amber was not a mineral, but this fossilized tree resin was graded as a fancy stone by civilized peoples, and beads of almost any quality were traded as currency among the northern barbarians. A transparent golden gemstone formed in ancient times by solidified tree sap. Now worth around 100 gp. It is reputed to ward off disease.
Amber was yellow to gold to orange in hue and very soft and brittle. It was easily worked into strings of beads, but larger pieces were usually tumbled into smooth stones or polished and cut cabochon. Specimens that contained other fossils, like plants and insects, were priced four to five times higher than the base value.
Amber could be used as a material component for most spells that dealt with electrical discharge, from as small as shocking grasp to as powerful as chain lightning. It was also used to make the ink for inscribing such spells. Giant versions of insects and other vermin could be magically placed into a gem-quality amber to make an amber amulet of vermin. A staff of eyes was tipped with a large piece of amber. The stone walk spell required a paste made from amber and ruby dust to treat the areas where the spell would operate. An amber rod was used in the casting of thunderball.
A transparent deep purple gemstone worth around 100 gp. The psionic amethyst dragon is named for this stone. Amethyst is reputed to prevent drunkenness. Amethyst was a fancy stone related to agates and other varieties of quartz but held a higher value. The deep purple-hued stones were sometimes called "the crown of kings" because many rulers tried to decree that they only are used by royalty.
Gem quality amethysts could be a light to deep purple, with the deep "royal" hues fetching the highest prices. Amethysts were usually facet cut to show off their brilliance.
Amethyst was one of the "nine secrets" used in the creation of ioun stones. This stone could also be used to cast spells that facilitated communication, such as magic mouth. Powdered and used in magic ink, it was used to make scrolls of these same spells. The best time of day to use amethyst as a component or ingredient was at mornbright.
If a being wore enough amethyst gems of the highest quality, they conferred an unnaturally high degree of resistance to spells that attacked the mind, including complete immunity to chaos, feeblemind, hold monster, magic jar, and quest.
Folktales said that this stone could prevent intoxication and neutralize poisons, so they were frequently used to decorate the drinking vessels of the nobility. In reality, they had no such abilities. It was said that if amethysts appeared in a woman's dream, it represented romance. In the language of oracles and seers, amethyst represented safety. Another rumor of amethysts' magical properties was its ability to drive away malicious oni.
A translucent, semi-precious stone found in small sizes, also known as andalusite. Flashes greenish-red or brownish-red if faceted correctly. Worth around 50 gp. Andar was the name for andalusite, a semi-precious stone usually found in streambeds as tumbled pebbles or crystals with an average diameter of 1⁄2 in (13 mm). Andar was a durable gemstone that could be facet-cut by a skilled lapidarist to produce translucent gems with a green-red or brown-red flash. Combining powdered andar with a dragon scale (gold, silver, or amethyst) and boiling produced an alternate ingredient that could be added to the oily base of a potion of treasure finding.
Angelar's skin, also seen as aasimon's skin and angel's skin, was not a mineral but a coral found on reefs in shallow tropical waters. Proper preparation of these delicate pink fancy stones included baking in the sun for many days to dry them out and eliminate the odour of dead sea life. It could then be worked into jewellery but had to be protectively mounted to avoid accidental breakage.
Aquamarine was a precious stone found mainly in northern Aetheus. A transparent pale blue-green gemstone worth around 500 gp. This gemstone was a transparent form of beryl, blue-green in colour. Aquamarine was hard and durable, making it suitable for jewellery worn by active beings. An aquamarine was a material component in casting an extremely rare and secret spell, Orgonil's ritual, that made an exact copy of another gemstone, regardless of flaws, scratches, or carvings. It was also one of the stones used in creating a necklace of prayer beads and the primary ingredient in enchanting an aquamarine of spell extending.
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
A soft, clear crystal worth around 10 gp. Augelite was an ornamental stone. This gemstone was transparent, colourless, and soft enough to carve without special tools or exceptional skill but too soft for intricate carving because it tended to split. The power of this stone was its antipathy to magic. Spells were slightly easier to resist, and magically-induced injury was slightly lessened within a 10 ft (3 m) radius around an augelite gem.
A variety of sparkling quartz is found in shades of gold, green or blue. Also called love stone, except in the Aetheus, where that name refers to saganite. Worth around 50 gp. Aventurine, also known as a love stone, was usually discovered in large deposits—blocks up to 20 lb (9.1 kg) were not unusual. This semi-precious stone was a variety of quartz that glittered when viewed from certain angles due to mica inclusions. It could be found in shades of green from medium to light, blues from dark to pale, or warm gold. Faceting only detracted from the flash below the surface of this translucent stone, so it was tumbled smooth, cut cabochon, or used as an inlay or in carvings.
Crushed to a powder and sprinkled, thrown or blown, aventurine could dispel on contact most illusions and transformations, such as those used for disguise.
An opaque mottled deep blue stone worth around 10 gp. Azurite was an ornamental stone slightly less common than another related stone, malachite. Azurite had deep blue striations or blotches mixed with other shades of blue. It was typically tumbled smooth and cut cabochon to be used to decorate rings or belts. Azurite had properties similar to malachite but was only effective against heat or fire. If kept in direct contact with the skin, azurite prevented all injury by normal heat sources and reduced damage by fire or open flame by half.
A translucent striped gemstone. It may be brown, blue, white or red. Worth around 10 gp. Agate is reputed to provide safe and restful sleep. Banded agate was an ornamental stone used in furniture inlays, inexpensive brooches, and carried as a "soothe stone"—to be fondled or rubbed between the fingers to prevent nervous fidgeting—by merchants during tense negotiations. This stone was a form of opaque quartz with brown, red, blue, and/or white striations. It was normally tumbled or polished smooth and had a waxy feel. A pinch of crushed banded agate powder was traditionally added to sleeping draughts to improve their effectiveness, but there was no solid evidence to justify this practice. Banded agate powder was used as an ingredient in some inks for inscribing spells and in the base mixture for some potions.
A smooth, spherical and extremely hard opaque sea-green gem found in huge fist-sized chunks worth 5,000 gp. Unique to the Aetheus, and noted for its property to periodically emit light.
According to a folk belief, beryl wards off enemies. "Heliodor", golden beryl, is worth around 400 gp.
A translucent dark green gemstone with black mottling and golden flecks. Worth around 1,000 gp. Black opal was a dark version of opal found in ancient active or dormant hot springs. This stone had a dim greenish matrix with blotches of black and flashes of gold. It was usually smoothed by tumbling and cut cabochon. Black opals had an affinity for force effects and could be used in the creation of wands that were particularly good at delivering force spells. If powdered and mixed with crushed orl, it formed a powerful explosive that could be touched off by an open flame if done properly. The blast was extremely devastating to anything within 10 ft (3 m) and could still do significant damage to creatures and objects up to 30 ft (9.1 m) away.
One recipe for a helm of darkness called for thirty-six black opals and a black sapphire.
Calling a rogue (or anyone who operated in the shadows, away from the spotlight) "black as a black opal" was an ironic way of saying that they had a good heart without causing them too much embarrassment.
A rare pure black pearl worth around 500 gp.
A rare translucent lustrous black gem with glowing highlights. More valuable than a standard sapphire and worth around 5,000 gp. Black sapphire was a rare variety of sapphire found mainly in the south. These stones were inky, lustrous black that reflected white or yellow highlights and was facet-cut like their blue cousins. When cut and polished, a jewel-quality black sapphire prevented time-related spells from operating within a range of 30 ft (9.1 m). Spells such as temporal stasis, time stop, and spells from the arcane chronomancy school or divine time sphere all ceased functioning, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the nature of the spell These gems could also be used in the creation of exceptionally powerful wands that stored spells like darkness and related magics. The darkness effects produced were either more difficult for the target to resist or the spell's strength increased, again, depending on the nature of the spell.
An opaque dark grey gemstone with red flecks. Worth around 50 gp. A folk belief claims bloodstone allows one to control the weather. Bloodstone was a semi-precious stone found mostly in Aetheus. Bloodstone was Aetheus name for the mineral heliotrope, a deep green-grey chalcedony with inclusions of red jasper that looked like flecks of blood. It was usually cut cabochon and either polished into smooth ovals or given bevelled edges when worn for adornment. A typical specimen had a base value of 50 gp.
One of the most important properties of bloodstone was as a medicinal agent similar to the herb bloodstaunch. When a bloodstone gem was pressed on an open wound, it caused the blood to coagulate, the wound to close, and any blood diseases or poisons removed. No health was restored, but further injury from blood loss was prevented. The gemstone dissolved upon conferring its benefits. A being could only receive this treatment once in a lunar cycle, i.e., another such treatment would not be effective until a month had passed.
Bloodstones could also be used as a substitute spell component for most divination spells and magics that were related to storms. One gem and one sprig of the heliotrope herb worked as material components for the invisibility spell.
A transparent pale blue gemstone worth around 10 gp. Blue quartz was an ornamental stone found in the Realms. This gem-quality variety of quartz was pale blue and flawlessly transparent. It was rare to find sizeable specimens, but fist-sized and larger gems were known.
Large blue quartz crystals were the preferred ingredient to produce a gem of seeing, especially in ancient times. More modern uses include being a material component in casting scrying spells and, when properly sliced, prepared, and enchanted, as lenses for the various magical eyes, such as eyes of charming, eyes of the eagle, and eyes of minute seeing.
A transparent blue or bluish-white gemstone worth around 1,000 gp. It is reputed to aid understanding of problems, kill spiders, and boost magical abilities.
A rare transparent deep blue spinel worth around 500 gp.
A soft opaque blue gemstone, often with veins of pink, white, cream and yellow. Also called sodalite or ditroite by the technically-minded. Found in great blocks primarily in the geologically older mountains of Aetheus. As its name suggested, bluestone had a deep blue colour but was usually shot through with pink, yellow, cream, or white hues. This stone was often too soft and brittle to make faceted gems, so it was typically cut cabochon and polished or tumbled smooth.
Bluestone powder could be used to make minor healing or neutralize poison potions. Mixed with plain water that was illuminated by any form of magical radiance, the water turned into a potion that would either restore a minor amount of health or neutralize poison. It conferred both of these benefits if added to any standard magical healing potion.
A transparent, fragile semi-precious red or orange stone, worth around 50 gp. Known in some worlds as wulfenite. A semi-precious stone that was used as an inlay on antique furniture in Vashara & Ozon'Siiari. Boakhar was extremely soft, and its flat, rectangular crystals broke easily. Still, its vibrant red and orange hue was alluring, and lapidarist's made small, sparkling, faceted gems that could be used in places that didn't experience much handling. The crystals and gems were often used for inlays on furniture and royal displays.
Boakhar gems were highly sensitive to magic missiles and would emit jets of flame whenever the spell was cast within ten feet (three meters) of them. This also occurred if a magic missile passed within the same radius. The jets were seven feet (2.1 meters) long and burned for a full minute, consuming the gemstones in the process. The fire did not touch the furniture or other material that the gems were mounted on, but the flames were hot enough to ignite combustible materials and damage creatures.
A rare, translucent mineral, also called stibiotantalite, is worth around 100 gp. Brandeen was the common name in the Realms for a rare, fancy stone also known as the mineral stibiotantalite. They were typically worn by merchants and mid-level courtiers as a substitute for more expensive gemstones.
Brandeen was found in deposits that were usually honey-yellow to reddish-brown in hue but often cloudy or opaque. The fancy stones were cut from areas where the raw mineral turned transparent, yielding small, hard, faceted gems. A typical specimen had a base value of 100 gp.
Powdered brandeen was a key ingredient in making a potion that cured deafness. The powdered mineral was mixed with fresh hardwood sap and then a message spell was cast upon it, the message being made up of only vowel sounds. The potion had to be consumed within twenty-four hours or it spoiled. Likewise, it spoiled if exposed to sunlight.
A folk belief holds that this gemstone gives the wearer the powers of a dragon's sight.
An opaque gemstone ranging from orange to red-brown. Worth around 50 gp. Carnelian, also known as sard, was a semi-precious stone found in the Realms. Carnelian was a variety of chalcedony that had a clear, orange to red to reddish-brown hue. It was typically cut cabochon and polished to a glossy finish, but could also be tumbled to smooth, rounded stones. Because of its bright color, it was primarily used for jewelry and decoration. A typical specimen had a base value of 50 gp. This gemstone was used in the crafting of luckstones and in the creation of devices that offered protection from evil or from bodily harm. Carrying or wearing a carnelian generally improved the owner's luck by a small amount. A properly prepared and enchanted carnelian could be sacrificed in dire need to gain a second chance at some failed feat of strength, ability, or survival. The person immediately touched the special stone, which then disappeared in a flash of bright light, and tried again.
many seers and oracles considered dreaming about or having visions of carnelians was an omen of misfortune
An opaque white gemstone worth around 50 gp. It is reputed to ward off undead. Also known as sard, a folk belief claims that it improves wisdom. Chalcedony was a semi-precious stone that was the base mineral in many gem-quality stones, but in the Realms the more colorful varieties all had their own names (see below). In Aetheus, chalcedony referred to the mostly colorless versions of these gemstones.
The vast majority of chalcedony gems were white to off-white, rarely shading to gray or black. They could be found in deposits that yielded large gem-quality stones that could be carved into statuettes or coffers. Smaller stones were typically cut cabochon and polished, often giving them a resemblance to ivory.
VARIETIES
Chalcedony took on a wide variety of colours, each with its own unique properties:
Chardalyn was a rare naturally occurring substance mined in nugget form in the north and northwestern regions of \Aetheus. When first discovered, these oval-shaped black stones were described as "useless rocks" by miners, but their affinity for magic was soon discovered. These nuggets were as brittle as glass and turned into a powder when forcefully struck or hurled against a solid object. The rarity and fragility of chardalyns contributed to their high base value of 20,000 gp. Once techniques like gem magic became more widespread, the base value of chardalyns dropped to 8000 gp for a large stone that ould hold the most powerful magics, and even lower for smaller, more limited stones.
A single chardalyn could absorb one spell, which was released when the stone was crushed or destroyed. This was a natural ability of the substance and did not require any magical preparation or treatment beforehand. The spell stayed encased in the chardalyn indefinitely - it could be released seconds or centuries later. Usually, the spell was cast with the chardalyn as the target, and it was absorbed without fail. Still, an empty chardalyn had a slightly better than even chance to absorb a spell that did not target it directly, as long as it was in the spell's area of effect. Once a chardalyn was imbued with a spell, additional spells had no effect on the stone. When shattered, the attributes (power, volume, duration, damage, etc.) of the spell were unchanged, and the focal point was the exact location where the breakage occurred. The ancient mages tried for many years to find a use for the powder residue left behind after smashing a chardalyn but to no avail.
A transparent yellowish-green or pale green gemstone worth around 100 gp. A folk belief holds that it wards off possession. It was a fancy stone found in the Realms. It had many uses, but when used for short-range scrying, a specimen of this gem was called a Cat's Eye.
Chrysoberyl was a hard stone that wore well, so it was usually facet-cut into transparent yellow-green to pale green jewels.
This gem was used in enchanting devices that provided protection against magic jar spells or other forms of (usually necromantic) possession. Using rare enchantments, chrysoberyl chips or whole stones could be melted into the metal when forging a weapon, allowing the implement to strike ethereal and gaseous creatures, such as ghosts and phase spiders. Powdered chrysoberyl mixed with the liquid extracted from a particular crushed flower formed a paste that could be applied externally on the body to stop the spread of mummy rot and all molds and fungus. A chrysoberyl gem could be used for short-range but very detailed scrying. For that reason, it was known as a cat's eye. Chrysoberyl was one of the "nine secrets"—stones that could be enchanted to become ioun stones. In ancient times, the sorcerer-kings sometimes used these gems as message stones that would speak a recorded voice when touched. Message stones that survived the ages were highly prized whether the message was an intimate note to a lover, an inspirational quote, instructions for a magical procedure, or directions to a treasure trove that may or may not have been discovered.
A translucent green or blue-green variant of chalcedony, worth 10 gp and often cut into small pieces for use in earrings and the like. Worth around 50 to 75 gp per carat. These ornamental stones ranged in hue from green to blue-green because of varying amounts of copper in their forming. The most valuable specimens were free from inclusions and exhibited no variation in color. Chrysocolla stones were most often tumbled smooth for use as earrings and pendants but were also seen in a faceted style. A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp.
Chrysocolla stones were crushed to a powder and used in magical ink to inscribe animate dead spell scrolls. The powder could also be used in the animation ritual, typically by being tossed into a fire or sprinkled over a hot brazier. Chrysocolla stones or powder could be used to neutralize alcohol by adding them to a drink or including them in the crafting of a drinking vessel. The alcohol had to come in direct contact with some form of chrysocolla to be neutralized.
This gemstone is reputed to ward off spells.
A translucent green gemstone worth around 50 gp. It is reputed to grant invisibility, and may, in fact, be a component of potions of invisibility. Large deposits were located in the Korognos Mountains of Czelóne were known as Stormrock. Chrysophrase was a translucent form of chalcedony that had a colour reminiscent of green apples. Chrysoprase was used in the creation of items and spells that dealt with conferring or piercing invisibility effects. It could be ground to a powder and used in magical ink for inscribing scrolls with invisibility or anti-invisibility spells. It could be used as a spell component in those same spells, and it was often used to adorn rings of invisibility. Chrysoprase was one of the "nine secrets"—stones that could be enchanted to become Ioun stones.
A transparent pale yellowish-brown gemstone worth around 50 gp. Citrine, also known as false topaz was a variety of quartz whose colour ranged from pale yellow to brown. This semi-precious stone cleaved nicely and was usually facet-cut in brilliant or marquise styles. Any being wearing or carrying a citrine was protected against magic jar spells and spell effects. Ironically, citrine gems were one of the favoured receptacles for the "jar" when casting magic jar.
A soft, transparent pale green semi-precious stone worth around 50 gp. Technically a form of sphalerite, which is also found in a yellow, orange, red, and dull brown. Cleiophane (sometimes misspelled as "clelophane") was a variety of sphalerite (also known as zincblende or blackjack) that often yielded large specimens of gemstone quality.
Sphalerite was a mineral that occurred in crystals of yellow, orange, red, and brown. Cleiophane was sphalerite with pale green "flash" that made beautiful, faceted semi-precious stones, often in unusually large sizes up to 3 inches (8 centimetres) across. Unfortunately, cleiophane was not hard enough to be used in jewellery that was subject to shock or wears.
This gemstone had the remarkable ability to capture a three-dimensional mental image of the bearer and his or her surroundings out to a spherical radius of ten feet (three meters). The cleiophane gem had to be touched, worn, or carried by the subject when a spell of any type was cast by or on the subject. When these conditions were met, it was likely that a new image of that moment either was added to other images stored in the gem or (more probably) replaced all previously stored images. This power was known as the "echo effect". Any images stored in a cleiophane gem could be recalled by simply grasping the stone and willing them to appear. The images were silent, still, and faintly luminescent for three minutes. They appeared in the space next to the gem, filling a ten-foot (three-meter) sphere with a properly lit, exact reproduction of the scene in which they were created. There was no limit on how many times the image or images could be recalled, and no known limit on how long the images remained in the gem.
An opaque crimson gemstone formed by the deposits of certain aquatic creatures. Worth around 100 gp. A folk belief holds that coral can calm weather, provide a safe river crossing, cure madness, and stop bleeding. It was not a gemstone in the traditional sense of having been mined from underground, but after being treated, cut, and polished, it was considered a fancy gemstone.
After being harvested from the water, coral was baked in the sun to dry it out and remove the smell of decaying marine life. It was then ready for polishing and carving. Branch-like specimens were sometimes used as the stems and leaves of ornamental flowers created from other gems. The pink and crimson varieties of coral were in the highest demand.
Powdered coral was a very desirable ingredient in creating potions of healing and extra healing because it guaranteed greater minimum effectiveness for those healing draughts. Knowledge of this property of coral was prevalent in South Aetheus where coral was found in abundance.
A fine pink variety found in the tropical seas of Aetheus is called "Angel's Skin", and is worth around 200 gp.
A rare translucent pink or colourless gemstone native to Aetheus. Worth around 10 gp. Known in some other worlds as petalite. It was a rare mineral and especially hard to find without impurities. They were worn by nomadic tribes and those that could not afford better jewellery. These ornamental stones were fairly hard but brittle and ranged in hue from colourless to pink. The rare stone that was free of impurities could be faceted, but otherwise, these stones were cut cabochon.
Corstal crystals could become light sources for a short time by exposing them to magically generated radiance. Any source of light from fairie fire to flame strike that touched a corstal gem was mimicked in the heart of the crystal as it glowed with the same hue and intensity for a few minutes before fading away suddenly. The longest duration of this mirroring behaviour ever observed was twenty-four minutes.
A gemstone found in fiery yellow or rich purple and worth around 1,000 gp.
An opaque gemstone of black bands also called psilomelane chalcedony, a variety of chalcedony containing many fine bands of black manganese. Worth around 10 gp.
The black bands of these ornamental stones took on a brilliant polish alongside the silver chalcedony, so the crown of silver was usually sliced for inlays, tumbled smooth, or cut cabochon.
In powdered form, the crown of silver had a mundane use in preventing rust on ferrous metals when applied directly. In magic, it was used as a component of the (possibly mythical) Everbright spell. It could also be used in place of iron filings in most spells that required them, such as certain protection spells.
A gem worth around 200 gp per carat.
A translucent pale yellowish-green gem worth around 50 gp. Also known as datolite, and can be found in pink, where miners of Aetheus call it "sugar stone".
Datchas could be found in small stones, which were typically cut into faceted gems, or large warty nodules up to 10 in (25 cm) in diameter which were either sliced and polished for use as inlays or cut cabochon. The pale yellowish-green hue was the most prized for faceted gems; the orange hue was in the highest demand for inlays. Other colours, caused by impurities of copper and other minerals, were white to pink to red, and reddish-brown.
A person under the spider climb enchantment could double the duration of the effect by consuming crushed datchas powder mixed with any non-alcoholic liquid.
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
Diamond was an extremely hard gemstone found primarily in the cold mountainous regions and anywhere in Aetheus that had seen volcanic activity, either active or dormant. Nearly all probable diamond locations were deep underground, making them accessible only to dwarves and the other subterranean races. A valuable transparent white gemstone worth upwards of 5,000 gp, although small quarter-carat offcuts worth as little as 50 gp are used as spell components. Sometimes tinted blue, bluish-white, golden, pink, or brown. Diamonds are among the most valuable of gemstones, valued at around 200 gp per carat.
Gem quality diamonds were translucent to transparent and came in a variety of colors. The most valuable hues were clear (also described as blue-white), canary yellow, pink, brown, and deep blue. They were almost exclusively facet cut because, if done correctly, diamonds refracted ordinary light into beautiful flashes of colour (known as "fire" in lapidary parlance). Diamonds were frequently worn for adornment. Very few substances were harder than diamond and all were just as rare and scarce, or more so. Diamonds could be used to engrave almost anything and were prized for making fine cutting and piercing tools for artisans.
Diamonds had an affinity for divination magic and in the crafting of spells or items that improved vision or located objects. Diamonds were the first choice for gems of seeing and were required components for a helm of brilliance. This stone was also useful in making or destroying poisons. Depending on the process and magics involved, diamond dust could be used to create a deadly poison or be used to create items (added to an immersion) or spell scrolls (used in the ink) that neutralized poison. More broadly, diamond dust was a viable substitute in the making of magical inks when more appropriate substances were not available. In all cases, magical workings involving diamonds worked best when done at high sun. A diamond jewel, placed directly against the skin of the head or neck, afforded the wearer some protection against spells of the enchantment/charm school and psionic influence or attack. Dreamless sleep could be achieved by wearing cut diamonds on at least two sides of the head.
The diamond dragon is named for this gemstone. The diamond golem is a rare creature composed entirely of that mineral.
Diamond is said to work in magic that makes the bearer invulnerable to the undead. Diamond or diamond dust is a vital material component of many spells, including chromatic orb, greater restoration, glyph of warding, clone, gate, imprisonment, nondetection, raise dead, revivify, resurrection, sequester, stoneskin, symbol, and true resurrection.
Many magic items are made of or inlaid with diamond, including the cartographer's amulet, crystal of adamant armour, armband of maximized healing, ring of positive protection, runestaff of frost, earth elemental gem, staff of frost, chaos diamond, helm of brilliance, staff of walls, headband of epic intellect, shard of the sun, crown of stars, crown of Yarus, Franklyn's Incredible Chariot, and the Moaning Diamond.
A hard, dark gem worth around 100 gp per carat. Dioptase, also known as diopside, was a small semi-precious stone that had unusual healing properties. These deep emerald-green stones were typically found in small crystals that were riddled with flaws and only yielded tiny faceted gems. Because dioptase was soft and brittle, it found uses in items that were not expected to be subject to rough handlings, such as decorating figurines or fancy lace. Larger specimens were extremely rare and commanded higher prices.
Dioptase gems could be used to make a potion that acted similar to a potion of healing. They dissolved in any liquid that was actively enchanted with any spell. The process took about twenty minutes to complete, and the liquid had to stay enchanted for at least that amount of time. For every dioptase gem dissolved, the potion would restore a minimum amount of health to the creature that drank it.
Purple diopside is known as violane. The most valuable form of that mineral is star diopside, with green star diopside worth 100 gp or more.
A soft, emerald-green gemstone rarely found in large sizes. As a result, it is only worth around 50 gp. In the Aetheus, larger specimens are valued as highly as emeralds due to their beauty and rarity.
A translucent dark blue or green gemstone, commonly found in many worlds, including Aetheus. Worth around 10 gp. Also known as kyanite. Disthene, also known as kyanite, was a plentiful ornamental stone found across the Realms.
Disthene cleaved easily but was difficult to facet-cut because it was prone to splitting in unwanted directions. This stone could easily be cleaved making it difficult to cut in facets without splitting. Flawless disthene was difficult to find but came in crystals ranging in colour from pale green to dark blue. A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp. Good quality blue facet-grade crystals were the most prized at double the base value for 20 gp.
Disthene was crushed to powder and used as a material component in, or to make inks for inscribing scrolls of, spells that controlled and shaped fire.
A valuable transparent deep, bright green gemstone worth around 1,000 gp. The clearest bright green emeralds can reach in the range of 5,000 gp. The emerald dragon is named for this gemstone.
Elemental gems were gems that had been attuned to one of the Elemental Planes and were infused with the power to summon elementals.
Gems that could be enchanted to become elemental gems include yellow diamonds (earth), red corundums (fire), emeralds (water), and blue sapphires (water).
Upon breaking or shattering, an elemental gem released its magic and allowed its wielder to summon an elemental in a similar way to a conjure elemental or summon nature's ally spell. Depending on the gemstone, a different elemental would be summoned: yellow diamonds summoned earth elementals, red corundums summoned fire elementals, emeralds summoned water elementals, and blue sapphires summoned air elementals. Once broken and used, the gem lost its power.
A common clear or red gemstone worth around 10 gp. Also found in a deep rose variety called piedmontite. Emerald was a brilliant green variety of beryl found in the Realms. These gems were notoriously fragile and needed to be protected from impacts and drastic temperature changes.
Emerald cleaved easily along orthogonal lines, making rectangular cuts (the "emerald" cut, known as a modified step cut in lapidary parlance) the most common form for this jewel. This included table facet (square) and baguette (long rectangular) cuts. Emerald came in many shades, but only the most transparent brilliant green shade merited the highest prices. A typical specimen had a base value of 5,000 gp. Emeralds with weak or tainted colouring were classified as gemstones with a base value of 1,000 gp.
Emeralds were associated with health and were used to create and decorate magical devices that improved health and healing, fertility, and growth. Whole cut emeralds served well as the tip of a wand or other devices that had health and growth effects. Crushed and powdered, emerald dust was used in the inks for scrolls and added to magical immersions for items intended for these same purposes. The best time of day to apply emeralds in magical workings was at waterclock (1:45 pm - 2:15 pm). Emeralds could be used to detect hidden treachery, hatred, and deceit without the use of magic. The stones would crack or break in the immediate presence of perfidy. Kings were known to wear rings carved out of emerald when attending important meetings, parleys, and critical negotiations.
Epidote was a plentiful ornamental stone within the Realms. This stone's colour ranged from clear (in the smallest crystals) to dark red (in larger crystal deposits). One variety could be cut into large cabochons of a deep rose colour. Crushed epidote was used in the formula for potions of undead control and in making the ink for inscribing scrolls with protection from undead.
A gem worth between 50 and 75 gp per carat.
A rare translucent gemstone that is colourless, yellow, or green and worth around 500 gp. It is rarely found in blue, which is even more valuable. Euclase was a rare precious stone found in the form of small crystals. Euclase was easily cut into faceted gems and came in various colors ranging from colourless to pale yellow, vivid yellow, pale green, and blue. The blue hues commanded the highest price.
These gemstones had a dangerous and violet reaction to magic being cast upon them or upon a being wearing or carrying one. If successfully hit with a spell, a flame strike erupted from the euclase, destroying it in the process and damaging any creature or object in the area of effect.
A translucent gemstone with a circle pattern of grey, white, brown, blue or green. Worth around 10 gp. Cat's eye agate is reputed to protect the bearer from spirits. Eye agate was a special form of banded agate found in the Realms.
Eye agate was similar to banded agate but with the layers within the stone arranged in concentric rings. These rings came in a variety of colors, typically grey, white, brown, greyish blue, and drab green.
Like banded agates, these ornamental stones were often ground up and used in sleeping draughts, though their effectiveness was unknown and the practice was attributed to folklore.
A variety of opaque agate formed of chalcedony with thin lines of iridescent goethite in colours of red, brown, gold and green. Usually opaque and worth around 10 gp. Fire agate was a form of chalcedony which contained goethite arranged in thin lines, giving this stone an iridescent quality.
These ornamental stones came in red, brown, gold, and green varieties and in the finest specimens the chalcedony was partially translucent, allowing the colour to come through. Fire agates were used in creating the most potent base for potions of fire resistance by dissolving them in fire lizard or pyrolisk blood.
A translucent pale blue gem with green and golden mottling. Worth around 1,000 gp. Fire opal was a rare gemstone usually found near hot springs and geysers.
Fire opal was a brilliant orange-red form of opal that was usually solid in colour but could have golden or greenish flashes. A typical specimen had a base value of 1,000 gp. Rings with embedded tiny fire opal gems were typically valued at 500 gold pieces. They were the favoured gems to use in helms of brilliance. Their affinity for igniting, releasing, and controlling fire made them useful in formulating inks to inscribe scrolls, enchanting immersions for making items, and mounting on devices as a focal point of discharge.
Many sages believed that fire opals' glow was supernatural in nature and even that each gem held a tiny portal to the Elemental Plane of Fire. Scholars often debated this theory, who claimed that the glow was simply due to gems' light refraction.
An extremely rare gemstone native to Aetheus and worth around 500 gp. In other worlds, it is known as rhodizite. This precious stone was translucent and ranged in colour from pale yellow to green. It was usually found in fragments and small crystals. Because it did not cleave well, it was mainly used for carving. Only crystals that could yield faceted gems were cut.
These stones and any item on which they were mounted always resisted attacks from normal or magical fire. A creature wearing one or more of these gems gained a significant improvement in the chance to resist normal or magical fire-based attacks.
Fluorspar, also called fluorite, was a soft, easily workable stone found in many colors. The pink and red varieties were sometimes called Cabra stones. A soft opaque gemstone occurring a great range of colours. Also known as fluorspar. Typically worth 10 gp, or around 50 to 75 gp per carat.
These ornamental stones cleaved easily to form faceted gemstones, but this treatment was reserved for small samples and specimens of the most popular colors: pale blue, green, yellow, purple, pink, and red. A purple-and-white banded variety known as archon or Blue John was mined in large blocks and used for carving.
All varieties of fluorspar gave off a faint green glow when invisible creatures or objects were within 20 ft (6.1 m). Fluorspar did not react to ethereal objects or creatures, nor things or beings merely disguised.
An opaque agate with white markings resembling frost. Skilled gem cutters cut it into a twenty-sided polyhedral shape, giving it the appearance of a snowflake. These rare ornamental stones had white markings that resembled frost over the base colour of the stone. They were usually tumbled and polished to a beautiful glassy finish. A master lapidarist could cut the fragile stone in facets, such as in a polyhedron cut so that at each point where facets met, a "snowflake" of white "frost" appeared. A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp.
Frost agates were often enchanted to be luck stones. Low-quality stones were treated like other agates: powdered for use in sleeping draughts and other potions. Frost agate in particular was useful when mixing potions together as it nearly always prevented an explosive or poisonous result.
Garnet was the generic name for a variety of crystals that had the same properties but came in a wide range of colors. A transparent gem in colours of red, brown-green, or violet. Worth around 100 gp, although the violet variety can reach 500 gp or more.
Garnets came in many colours, but the violet hue was the most valuable and called rhodolite, while the other varieties had fallen out of favour and were valued in the fancy stone price range. In later years, even the violet-hued stones dropped in value.
Garnets formed isometric crystals with twelve or twenty four faces, though thirty six or forty eight face versions have been found. They were common across the North and could be found in marble, granite, and other metamorphic rocks.
A typical violet-coloured specimen once had a base value of 500 gp but eventually joined the red and brownish-green versions at a base value of 100 gp. If mounted on a weapon and properly enchanted, garnets could double or triple the damage-dealing potential of that weapon. The most propitious time of day to begin these weapon enchantments was high morn.
In some faiths and folklore, garnets were considered the solidified blood of the divine avatars. To the uninitiated, garnets had the reputation of being worthless for magical use.
A translucent gemstone, typically citrine, amethyst, or smoky quartz, was parallel golden goethite lines in it. Despite its wondrous appearance, large chunks are commonly found, and it is worth only around 10 gp. Also called cacoxenite. The name given to varieties of quartz with lines of gold-colored goethite (an impurity similar to iron oxide) embedded in the matrix. These quartz ornamental stones could be amethyst, citrine, or smoky quartz with bright yellow strands or tufts of goethite running through it in parallel lines. They were typically tumbled or cut cabochon. Specimens could be two to three inches (five to eight centimetres) in diameter. Sometimes large pieces were found, but these were often subject to breakage during transportation.
Goldline had a use in enchanting metal-bladed weapons. It was held in an open flame while the appropriate spells were cast, consuming the stone and giving a plain knife, sword, or dagger a small bonus. Fortunately, greenstones were relatively common and easy to obtain.
An opaque greyish-green form of pumpellyite native to Aetheus. It can be found in solidified lava flows. Also called chlorastrolite, or chlorastras, a gray-green variety of pumpellyite. These ornamental stones were soft and usually cut cabochon or tumbled and polished. High quality greenstones could take on a glassy finish and such stones were sometimes called chlorastras. Greenstones were found in solidified lava flows, in nodules of up to three quarters of an inch (two centimeters) in diameter. Huge specimens were made into greenstone amulets. Greenstones were plentiful and easy to work with, so many fraudulent amulets were created and enchanted with Nystul's magic aura. A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp.
Flawed stones and those too small to be useful were crushed to powder and used as a material component in casting abjuration-type spells that protected the mind. However, certain spells were ruined when this gem was added, making them completely ineffectual.
This gemstone was one of the "nine secrets"—minerals that could be enchanted to make an ioun stone.
A rare, transparent, colourless semi-precious gemstone worth about 50 gp: the mineral is also called hambergite. Hambergyle was found in crystal or fragmentary form. It was colourless and fairly hard, yielding small, faceted gems. If a hambergyle gem was held in a flame and light was cast upon it, the gem was consumed but produced a continual light at that spot.
Heliodor was a variety of golden beryl considered a precious stone for jewellery and ornamentation. It has some magical uses as well. Heliodor had a deep yellow hue with tints from greenish-yellow to reddish yellow and yielded medium to large facet-cut gems. A typical specimen had a base value of 500 gp. Heliodor gems could be substituted for other naturally-occurring material components (i.e., those that did not require manufacturing or special construction) in all priest spells of the sun sphere. A crushed heliodor was a required reagent when forging a sun blade.
An opaque grey-black semi-precious gemstone worth around 10 gp. It is reputed to aid warriors and heal wounds. When polished, hematite was a shiny grey-black stone. It was often tumbled to make beads or cut in a baguette fashion (rectangular with beveled sides).
Hematite was not magical itself, but it was responsive to enchantments related to blood and life force and was used in necromancy and the healing arts. Specifically, it was used to create magical periapts for healing and foul rotting.
Only a handful of people (mostly powerful mages that kept the secret to themselves) knew that this common stone was one of the "nine secrets"—minerals that could be enchanted to become ioun stones.
A gem worth between 50 and 75 gp per carat.
Milky or white quartz caused by trapped water or gas bubbles, worth around 10 gp. Occasionally contains grains of gold. Hyaline was a milky or white form of quartz and was usually cut as plates for inlays or cut cabochon and mounted in a silver setting. The milkiness of these ornamental stones was caused by tiny droplets of water or carbon dioxide trapped in the crystals. Some specimens contained flecks of gold. Hyaline was sensitive to magic and would give off a blue glow whenever magic was activated, triggered, cast, or passed within 20 feet (6.1 meters) of a hyaline gem.
A completely colourless, transparent opal worth around 10 gp.
An opaque white opal that becomes transparent and iridescent in water. Worth around 50 gp. Hydrophane was a variety of opal that was highly prized by sailors and the aquatic races of Aetheus because its true beauty was only visible when wet. This semi-precious stone was typically used for inlay work or cut cabochon for jewellery. It was a rather plain, opaque, ivory or frosty-white colour when dry, but when immersed in water it became transparent with a prism-like rainbow iridescence. Hydrophane was used in various potions and magic items related to water, especially those that allowed control over water elementals or water breathing. If used as an additional material component for the colour spray spell, it decreased the chance that targets would resist the spell.
A brown opaque semi-precious stone, sometimes tinted red or green and having silvery spangles. It is rarely found in large crystals, and as such, is only worth around 50 gp per stone. Hypersthene, also known as bronzite, was a gemstone usually cut cabochon. This semi-precious stone was brown and opaque (sometimes reddish or greenish) and contained silvery spangles. It was rare to find an unflawed piece larger than 1⁄2 in (13 mm) across, and as a result, the stone yielded small gemstones. Carrying or wearing one of these gemstones made the bearer undetectable by the wyvern watch spell. In common parlance, this property was known as wyvern warding.
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
A gemstone worth around 50 gp. Often grey or bluish-violet. In the Aetheus, it is called "iol" or "violet stone". It changes its colour depending on the direction of sunlight. Also called cordierite in some worlds.
Iol, also known as violet stone, was the name by which iolite (cordierite) was commonly known in the Realms. This semi-precious stone was predominately blue in hue, but the stone's color changed with viewing angle, from dark blue to straw-yellow. Small specimens could be transparent but larger stones tended to have inclusions which could cause a star-like effect or, in the case of trapped hematite crystals, a flash of golden color much like sunstones. Iols were usually facet-cut to best display the stone's colour change.
Iol stones were the best component for use in making ioun stones. Legends said this gemstone had a strong affinity for magic, but few knew of its connection to ioun stones.
A hard, transparent semi-precious stone that is sometimes tinted yellow. Worth around 50 gp. Called danburite in some worlds. Irtios was the common name for danburite in the Realms. It was found as natural crystals when mined from deep formations, or as tumbled stones in streambeds and among deposits of water-born gravel. This semi-precious stone was a hard gemstone that yielded faceted gems of middling size. Irtios crystals were pale yellow or colourless and either transparent or translucent.
Irtios crystals prevented mold, mildew, and rot from forming on all organic substances, living, dead, or undead, with which they were in continuous direct contact. These gemstones were often mounted on sword sheaths and wizard staves, for example.
A transparent fiery orange gemstone worth around 5,000 gp. It is reputed to give luck in travelling and protect the bearer from plague and fire. Unique to the Realms, jacinth, also known as hyacinth and flamegem, was a corundum gemstone similar to sapphire.
This rare jewel had a fiery orange hue and was as hard and durable as sapphire and ruby. Each stone had a heart of fire that flickered like a candle—bright enough to be seen in the dark but not enough to illuminate even nearby objects. This property made it highly prized for adornment on cloaks and gowns worn by the well-to-do.
Powdered jacinth was used in potions and in the immersions used to create magic items that provided protection against fire. Whole jacinths were used in the ornamentation of such devices, e.g., a ring of fire resistance.
A translucent green or white gem is often used to craft artworks. Worth around 100 gp. It is reputed to give the bearer skill at music. Jade was the generally accepted name for a class of stones found in the Realms, including jadeite and nephrite. When jade was freshly mined, it was found in shades of light to dark green and white. As it aged, jade turned a warm brown hue. If buried for long periods of time, jade turned a dark red or brown and was known as tomb jade. Jade had a waxy appearance when polished and was easily carved. This stone was completely opaque unless carved thin enough for light to filter through, giving it a warm glow. The highest quality jade was known as mei-yu jade, or high jade; lesser quality jade was yu jade.
Jade buried for a long time can turn red or brown, known as tomb jade, and is worth around 1,000 gp.
Powdered jade had an affinity for illusion/phantasm spells and was the ingredient of choice when mixing magic inks to scribe such spell scrolls. It was also necessary for immersions for items intended to create illusions. The best time of day for mixing jade dust into a magical preparation was candleglass time (8:45 pm - 9:15 pm). Jade was used as the material component for the hail of stone spell.
A rare red zircon prized in the Aetheus and worth around 100 gp. Jargoons were valued for their resemblance to deep red rubies in color and luster. One powerful use of this gemstone was as a magic missile enhancer. The caster held a jargoon in hand and cast magic missile through it. This caused the jargoon to explode, but the number of missiles was doubled with no alteration in targets, damage, range, etc. The drawback was that the explosion damaged the caster's hand as if struck by a single powerful magic missile. An unproven legend stated that a jargoon could prevent a lycanthrope from changing out of human form.
A very hard transparent gemstone is native to the world of Aetheus. Worth around 3,000 gp. Jasmals were usually found in small veins of ore. Very rarely, a large deposit was found in a seam. This clear and colorless gem was extremely hard and durable, even able to hold a sharp edge for use in small, non-metallic weapons, or mounted on a larger blade and enchanted (see below). Typically, jasmals were cut cabochon and polished to enhance their optical properties when worn as adornments on cloaks and clothing. Polished jasmals absorbed sunlight or light from fires and torches and gave off a nimbus of amber or orange that surrounded the stones even though the jasmals remained colorless and transparent.
Crushed to powder, jasmal was the ingredient of choice for enchanted immersions used to make magical armor and in the recipe for the ink used to scribe scrolls of Veladar's vambrace. Whole jasmals could accept complex enchantments or many simple enchantments they were thus mounted in a row along a blade to deliver their effects when a successful strike
An opaque gemstone in colours of blue, black or brown. Worth around 50 gp. It is reputed to make the bearer immune to poison. Jasper was a semi-precious form of quartz or chalcedony found in the Realms. Mostly found in opaque shades of red, brown, or solid black, scarce specimens of these semi-precious stones were blue or had bands of blue superimposed over the other colors. Jasper had strong anti-poison properties. Crushed to powder, it could be substituted for any solid ingredient when making antidotes or magical potions and items that neutralized poison or bestowed protection from poison. Because of its reputation and properties, jasper was the stone of choice for making both periapts of foul rotting and proof against poison.
If stored for at least 24 hours in a container made from jasper, consumable liquids were purified of all taint.
An opaque deep black gemstone worth around 100 gp. Jet was a variant of bituminous coal that could be cut into fancy stones. Jet was a deep black gemstone that was hard enough to take facets and was often used in simple pendants or as part of a larger setting. Jet was worn to represent sorrow and mourning.
Jet was the material of choice for magic jars and could be made to release the captive life force within by means of certain treatments, or accidentally trigger the release by casting specific spells in close proximity to the magic jar. If this were to happen, a person or creature near the magic jar would have their life essence sucked into the jar, and the captive entity would be released to inhabit their body. Having a magic jar rarely gave any control or influence over the entity stored within.
The legends of jet being used for magic jars were true, and stories about irascible wizards or dire magical beasts popping out to possess the body of the hapless victim gave jet a bad reputation. Jet gems and jewelry found in treasure troves were generally viewed with great suspicion.
A rare, transparent and extremely had gemstone native to the world of Aeheus, also known as "frozen tears" or "lich weepings". Legend has it that they are the crystallized tears of necromancer-kings, and visions of the past can be seen in them. They are worth around 5,000 gp.
These rare stones were transparent, colorless, teardrop-shaped with a smooth surface, and incredibly hard. No mundane means were known that could break, chip, cut, etch, fracture, or even scuff one of these jewels—they were always found in this perfect state.
Each specimen contained a sharply detailed, life-like image or scene that could be viewed by gazing deeply into the stone. Some contained an image of a person; some contained a panoramic view of a landscape or a battle in a place long forgotten or ravaged by time; and some held unfathomable dream-like scenes. What these images portrayed and what relationship they had with each other remained unknown, but sages fervently studied them.
Star elves were able to acquire a vast quantity of these gems and were able to use them to store information of their own. They were even able to put the gems into a device that would read the contents of the King's Tear back out loud. They created large libraries of information using these devices and their enemies, they were known to pay huge sums of money to acquire one of the gems in the hopes of finding secrets about the star elves.
The legend lore spell could take hours, days, or weeks to cast. Still, when cast in the presence (within 90 ft or 27 m) of a kings' tear, the casting time was reduced to 20 minutes, and the caster was mentally granted a word or a name that was a critical clue to the person, place, or thing that was being researched. Needless to say, kings' tears were valued by sages above all other gems.
A ritual known to only a handful of liches, archmages, and high priests, could be used to gain wisdom by sacrificing one of these jewels. Knowledge of this ritual was a closely guarded secret. If enchanted correctly, a kings' tear could be magically cut into one to four gems of insight.
Folklore suggested that these stones were the tears of long-dead necromancer kings and queens, crystallized to preserve the view of what they loved. Rumors also persisted that kings' tears were a part of creating a philosopher's stone and other powerful magic items.
A hard, translucent green or brown gemstone worth around 100 gp. Kornerupine was a rare fancy stone usually found in stream beds, eskers, or ridge-pit gravel. Kornerupine came in green or brown translucent crystals that were hard and yielded solid faceted gems up to medium size. The brown variety of kornerupine had no known magical properties.
The green variety of kornerupine had a most unusual magical ability to record sounds. When all but the last word of a magic mouth spell was cast upon one of these gemstones, the kornerupine became primed to record. It would remain in this state indefinitely until the caster touched the gem and spoke the last word of the incantation. Instead of a magic mouth appearing, the gemstone recorded all audible sounds within 20 ft (6.1 m) for the next four minutes. This audible archive was permanently stored in the gemstone and could not be removed, altered, or silenced without destroying the gem but could be played back on demand an unlimited number of times. The value of the recording could drastically increase the value of a particular stone, be it a ballad by a famous bard, a solemn oath, words of wisdom or endearment from a deceased loved one, or conspiratorial evidence.
A hard, durable, transparent pink or purple gemstone worth around 50 gp, or between 50 and 75 gp per carat. A variety of spodumene, also called hiddenite in its emerald green form. The colours of these gems fade with time.
A large transparent gemstone native to the Aetheus called beryllonite some worlds. It is worth around 100 gp. Laeral's tears were the Realms name for beryllonite. This gemstone was soft and brittle but deposits often produced large crystals which could be facet cut into impressive colorless gems that held a glossy, lustrous shine. It was a little known fact that this fancy stone was one of the "nine secrets" that could be turned into an Ioun stone. Of the nine gems, Laeral's tears were the rarest.
Witches had a secret use for this gem. Through a complicated process of treatment and spellcasting, Laeral's tears could instantaneously heal wounds sustained in battle. The subject had to be wearing the gem for the protection to work, and once it healed its quota of damage, the stone shattered and became useless.
An opaque blue stone with yellow flecks. It is reputed to grant courage. Lapis lazuli, incorrectly called lazurite in the South, was an ornamental stone found in the Realms. Lapis lazuli was an opaque gem ranging from sky blue to dark blue, usually bespeckled with gold. These ornamental stones were typically cut cabochon and polished to enhance the look of the gold flecks. Lapis cabochons were often carved into more artistic shapes, such as griffons, scarabs, or unicorns. The deep blue specimens were the most in-demand and commanded the highest prices.
A lapis gemstone could be used as a substitute for a ruby in making a periapt of health. Lapis lazuli was also crushed and used as an ingredient in making potions of heroism and super-heroism.
A soft, translucent green or yellow stone, also known as apatite. Worth around 50 gp. Rarely found in blue and purple, and large stones of that colour command a high price. Luriyl, also known as apatite, was a semi-precious stone widespread and popular in the Realms. Found in crystals, luriyl often yielded attractive faceted gems of vivid yellow, green, yellow-green, and (rarely) blue and purple. It was a soft stone and easily worked without specialized tools or extensive knowledge and experience, so it was widely used throughout the Realms for ornamentation. Large specimens of blue or purple were in great demand and mostly included in necklaces, pendants, belts, and insets in gowns or cloaks. A typical yellow or green specimen had a base value of 50 gp; blue and purple stones were priced six times higher than the other colors.
Luriyl gems were sensitive to scrying and would give off a soft glow and a gentle vibration when subjected to magical probes such as clairaudience/clairvoyance.
An opaque dark grey gemstone with patches of green flash. Technically a variety of labradorite, which in turn is formed of feldspar. Worth around 10 gp.
Lynx eye was the Realms name for various feldspar known as labradorite that exhibited a green flash. These ornamental stones were pale to dark gray with large flakes of colored reflections. This "flash" could be of all shades, but only the green flash labradorite was called lynx eye on Aetheus. Lynx eye was usually cut cabochon, but it was brittle, so most stones were less than 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter.
Lynx eye stones could be dissolved in catoblepas tears or griffon blood to make a solution that could be the foundation of any healing potion or beneficial necromantic potion. This solution also could be substituted for a key ingredient of Keoghtom's ointment.
An opaque green mineral with light and dark bands, worth about 10 gp. The Malachite Throne of the Great Kingdom was carved from a single huge cursed block of this mineral. It is reputed to protect against falling and ward of spells, evil spirits, and poison. Malachite was an ornamental stone related to azurite and often used in inexpensive jewelry.
Its green stripes of many shades distinguished malachite. Striking in appearance and inexpensive, these ornamental stones were usually tumbled smooth or cut cabochon and polished for jewelry among those that could not afford fancier gems.
Malachite was a spell component for some divine spells of the elemental sphere and arcane spells that dealt with cold, heat, ice, or fire. It was crushed into powder for use in magical immersions for items that promoted warmth, cold resistance, or fire resistance.
Malachite was reputed to prevent falls and therefore was often used on devices like rings of feather falling as part of the adornment. However, this was just catering to public demand because malachite had no gravitational intervention powers.
Druids especially favored malachite for its color and beauty. Some adventurers used malachite to identify certain dangerous substances, as they easily bubbled and dissolved in acid. Artists were known to crush malachite into dust to use it as a pigment.
A transparent brown variety of zircon worth around 50 gp. Malacon was a variety of zircon found in the Realms. These semi-precious stones could produce large brown faceted gems that were hard but fragile, so they were not generally used in jewelry that was frequently subject to impact, like rings, but they were often used in room decorations.
Malacon gems could be used to store a spell and release it at a later time, making them ideal for pranks, surprises, defenses, or death traps to those who knew the modifications necessary to cast a spell into this gem. The spell could be released in one of three ways: by physically breaking the gem, either by striking, dropping, or crushing; by the caster touching the gem and exerting their will to call forth the spell; or when a predetermined interval, set during the original casting of the spell, had passed. In the first case, the caster had no control of the spell; it went off with the gem as the origin or center of the spell. In the second case, the caster had full control of the spell as if they had just cast it from memory. In the third case, all the spell's characteristics, including the time delay interval, were fixed and unchangeable at the time the spell was cast into the malacon. In all cases, the gemstone was destroyed or harmlessly vaporized when the stored spell was triggered. Someone other than the caster could take control of a spell stored in a malacon, but it required great skill in the use of very specialized spells.
A bright yellow variety of zircon worth around 50 gp. Mellochrysos was a variety of zircon found in large crystals in the Realms.
These semi-precious stones were an intense yellow hue and very resistant to chipping in natural form. As such, they were seldom cut but rather polished and mounted in metal claw settings, typically for rings, brooches, and knife hilts.
Mellochrysos crystals had an unusual property after being the target of a light spell: within one day of being a magical light source, the crystal could be briefly held in an open flame. It would ignite, giving off a single flame like a candle. The stone would fuel this flame, being consumed very slowly for up to 12 hours. The flame could not be extinguished by wind or water, even magically generated air or water effects, but spells such as quench fire and the property of phenalope were effective. The mellochrysos flame was hot enough to ignite flammable materials.
A translucent green or blue-green gemstone that shimmers when polished. Also known as amazonstone, a variety of feldspar. These ornamental stones were found in deep green to blue-green hues and cleaved easily, so it took a skilled lapidarist to handle properly. Typically they are tumbled or cut cabochon. The polished microcline had a shimmer due to tiny cleavage cracks that reflected light.
Microcline could be used to make a substitute for squid and octopus ink that was the basis for many magical inks by grinding a microcline stone to powder and mixing it with the sap of a deciduous tree.
A rare pearly white opaque gem, often found in rectangular bars one foot long or more—worth 1,000 gp, found in the desert and tropical regions on Aetheus.
Moonbars were usually found in large crystals, typically 1 ft (30 cm) long by 4 in (10 cm) wide, rectangular with rounded corners. Milky white and opaque with a nacreous sheen, moonbars had a naturally smooth surface and, once washed clean, required no further alteration. Cutting was only necessary if the crystals were broken.
Powdered moonbar was useful as a substitute component in the formulation of necromancy spells. It was also used to make inks, potions, and as a spell component for items that created, controlled, or healed undead creatures, including binding together parts from disparate corpses. Wands that cast "calling" spells (a subschool of conjuration) could be improved by fashioning them using an unbroken moonbar.
A translucent white of feldspar gemstone with a pale blue glow. Worth around 50 gp. A folk belief claims that moonstone causes lycanthropy. Followers of the goddess Shelúne believe that finding moonstone is a sign of her favour. Moonstones took on a milky bluish sheen when polished and were usually cut cabochon for jewelry and ornamentation.
Moonstones captured light and would glow faintly in darkness after nearby light sources were extinguished. One sorcerer (whose family owned lucrative moonstone mines) was a proponent of what he called "moonstone magic"—the ability of moonstone dust to substitute for other non-organic components of spells, specifically various abjuration spells, such as walls and barriers, and certain evocation spells where powdered moonstone provided storage of magical energy and the quick release of that energy in a new direction. Careful research was required to determine the optimal amount of moonstone required for each substitution.
Moonstones were essential in making items such as a moonstone mask, a lesser staff of Silverymoon, and the legendary moonblades of Evermeet. The powers of a moonblade were dependent upon its moonstone and were nullified if the moonstone was removed.
A gem worth around 100 gp per carat.
A translucent pink or yellowish-white stone with mossy grey or green markings. Worth around 10 gp. Impurities of manganese formed greyish-green fern-like patterns that resembled moss embedded in these pink to yellow-white semi-transparent or translucent ornamental stones. Moss agate took a bright polish and was occasionally used for inlay work on coffers and other fine furniture. If the moss pattern formed a significant design, like an eye or a circle, this stone might be used in a ring or pendant in a polished cabochon.
Moss agate enhanced serenity and increased stability, so it was used in powdered form in sleeping draughts and in all manner of potions to assist the mixing of components that might otherwise clash. Its powers were such that it could be safely added to any potion, and even failed attempts did not explode or turn poisonous.
A large semi-precious stone found in many colours and hues found as crystals or crusts up to 2 inches (5 centimetres) thick in rock cavities worth around 50 gp. Also called smithsonite. These semi-precious stones were soft and durable when found as a crust but brittle in crystal form. The varieties of colour included yellow, straw yellow, pale brown, reddish-brown, green, blue, and blue-green. It was usually cut cabochon, particularly if it was patterned with thick bands of varying colors, but was sometimes faceted.
Regardless of colour, these stones were part of an unusual cure for blindness that worked even if the eyeballs had been destroyed. A mykaro stone was ground to powder and added to any nonalcoholic beverage. Then a wizard able to cast wizard eye immersed the invisible sensory organ created by that spell into the mixture and then removed it. If the afflicted person consumed the magically charged drink within 10 minutes, their blindness was cured in a matter of a few seconds. If the eyeballs were missing, they regenerated in about 10 minutes, when the person's vision was restored.
A hard, transparent rare gemstone found in small crystals worth around 50 gp. Also called phenakite. These semi-precious stones occurred in crystals, usually with inclusions so that they yielded only small faceted gems. This stone was powdered and mixed to make magical ink to inscribe scrolls for casting spells related to the movement of objects via levitation, telekinesis, or magical force, such as Unseen Servant, Tenser's floating disc, etc.
A soft white, cream, fawn or brownish-pink iridescent gemstone is related to moonstone, native to the Aetheus, and is found in large quantities in older rock formations. It is also known as a feldspar called albite or pigeon stone. The gem-quality version of these ornamental stones had a blue iridescent flash known as peristerism. Nelvine was soft enough to be easily cut with even crude tools, but it was too fragile for fine detail work. The base stone was usually white, cream, fawn, or brownish pink and was sometimes called a "pigeon stone".
Nelvine was used as a component in spells that disguised a person or object without changing the target's true nature. It was also powdered for the magical ink to inscribe such spells on scrolls.
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
A translucent brown or almost clear gemstone is also called "cross-stone" or "fairy stone" in the Aetheus, frequently worn as jewellery. Also known as staurolite on other worlds. Worth around 10 gp.
These ornamental stones were translucent brown or nearly clear and occurred in small cross-shaped crystals up to one inch (two and a half centimeters) across either arm. These were commonly polished to a smooth sheen and pierced to be worn as pendants or linked as bracelets. On Aetheus, the cross was used as an ornament and not as a holy symbol. A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp.
Nune stone powder was an essential ingredient of the ink used to scribe dispel magic scrolls, and it was added to the immersion treatment when preparing to enchant a wand of negation.
Obsidian, also known as Natural Glass or Volcanic Glass, came in different grades and varieties, some more prized than others. Low-grade obsidian, called Pitchstone, was not as shiny or smooth as gem-quality obsidian but was useful for grinding and abrading. A variety called black-smoke obsidian was primarily found in Aethasha, sold in the local bazaars. A rare form of obsidian, called Rainbow Obsidian, was considered a semi-precious stone. A piece of opaque black volcanic glass, worth around 10 gp. It is hard but relatively brittle.
Volcanic in origin, obsidian was a hard, black, glassy stone with a natural sheen. Common obsidian could be chipped into arrowheads, cutting blades, or even weapons if large enough. It was usually tumbled, polished into smooth cabochons, or carved into figurines and fingerbowls as an ornamental stone. It was often worn as jewellery or inlaid on bracers or pectorals of copper or bronze. Package handlers wore obsidian rings with a cutting edge on the inside for snipping twine. Gray to white inclusions made obsidian brittle, but snowflake obsidian was equally as valuable as regular obsidian when cut and polished correctly.
The archmage Mordenkainen's Obsidian Citadel is named for this mineral, as is the rare obsidian dragon. In Aetheus, obsidian with numerous minute inclusions is known as "sheen". Obsidian with golden inclusions is called "gold sheen" and is worth as much as 50 gp. Obsidian with many colours is called "rainbow obsidian" and is worth 50gp.
Another variety, snowflake obsidian, has flower-like radial patches. Webstone, also called spiderweb obsidian, has lines running through it.
A being in direct contact with algae or wearing it was more likely to resist polymorphing effects caused by spells, psionic attacks, and other arcane or divine shape-altering enchantments. This resistance was conferred whether the subject was willing or not.
A soft, translucent yellow or orange gem native to Aetheus. It is worth around 100 gp. In other lands, it is known as scheelite. Jewellers sometimes marketed them as Savage Fire. This fancy stone occurred in hues ranging from pale yellow to orange and could be facet cut or sliced and polished for inlay work. Large but irregular specimens were mounted with silver as pendants. Octel was a soft stone but, when properly faceted, yielded beautiful, sparkling gems.
Octel gems could be permanently "awakened" by touching them to a ring of free action. Once awakened, their natural inner fire became a faint light source with a radius of about 2 ft (60 cm) in dark places. An awakened Octel prevented all magical paralyzation or held effects from operating on beings touching or carrying it.
A common green mineral in Aetheus' subsurface, but weathers quickly on the surface. This gemstone is reputed to protect people from spells. It is named for its typically olive-green colour, though it can be altered to a reddish colour from the oxidation of iron. Translucent olivine is sometimes used as a gemstone called peridot, or chrysolite. It was considered a gemstone that could provide healing powers, curing Depression and opening the heart.
Ooline, also known as Ool stones, was a variety of quartz in tiny egg-shaped spherules. These ornamental stones were usually solid brown in colour and were very similar to algae. Individual oolite spherules were about 1⁄16 in (1–2 mm) or less, which was too small to be cut. The aggregate stone was usually polished to bring out the colour and mounted in silver jewellery (particularly tiaras or pectorals) or used as eyes in sculpted figurines or create patterns on chased metals worth around 10 gp.
Powdered ool stones were a prized ingredient when casting spells that purified or neutralized and making the magic ink for scribing those same spells.
Onyx was part of the agate family of ornamental stones but was considered a semi-precious stone found in pure black, pure white, or straight bands of both colours. An opaque black or white gemstone, or with bands of black and white. Worth around 50 gp. Onyx is used as a component of the spell animate dead. A folk belief claims that it causes discord between enemies.
This semi-precious stone was carved for jewellery and decorative housewares and was hard enough to wear well. It was often used for sculpting figurines (including the magic onyx dog). There were "nine secrets" that could be enchanted to become an Ioun stone, and onyx was one of them. Physical contact with onyx helped reduce complications and pain during childbirth. Wizards used onyx gems to animate the dead as zombies or other undead servants.
Onyx was a common stone among the Drow, a gem worn by drow of the average station, albeit they used only black ones. Unenchanted onyx was believed to cause bad luck when worn or carried.
Ophealine or more commonly known as glass stone was the name for axinite. A hard, translucent brown gemstone is native to the Forgotten Realms, where it was traditionally mounted on rings and gained the name "knuckle stones". Worth around 10 gp. Also known as axinite or glass stone. Its violet variety is known as yanolite. Ophealine occurred in large crystals that yielded faceted gemstones of impressive size and were hard enough to be used in jewellery, especially rings that were subject to the wear and tear of everyday use. The typical brown hue was so intense that bigger crystals looked opaque. Unfortunately, Brown was not in great demand as a gemstone colour, but glass stone found its way into rings because it could hold a sharp edge and survive a good bar fight.
Ophealine had an anti-magic quality such that it could not be used as a material component in any spell, potion, ink or other magical preparation—the magic always failed. When worn as an ornament, ophealine prevented hold person spells and all manner of magical paralyzing effects from being effective.
A softer translucent blue gem found in small sizes, worth around 500 gp. Also called benitoite. Orbaline crystals were relatively soft and usually found in fragments rather than whole crystals. The most common use for orbaline was as an inlay for coffers, ornamental boxes, and statuettes. When a specimen was large enough to cut, these yielded blue to colourless faceted gems.
Orbaline, when inlaid or mounted on an object, greatly increased that object's resistance to magical fire and conferred almost as much benefit against normal fire. This only affected inanimate objects; living creatures and undead could not gain this boon.
A rare golden gem, also called "honeystone", due to its rich colour and highly prized, is worth around 1,000 gp. The largest known Orblenn was 6 inches (15cm). Although rare, orblen occurred in massive deposits that yielded large gems that could be cut cabochon or faceted. Its nickname came from the deep, lustrous gold hue that resembled honey.
Honeystone had two very different responses to magic cast upon it. If any healing spell was cast into the stone, it produced a golden glow that warmed and illuminated everything in a 60 ft (18.3 m) radius that lasted for two hours. Beings touched by this radiance were immediately granted the benefits of a potion of vitality. Anyone who remained within the glow for a full, continuous hour received healing on the order of an extra-potent cure light wounds. However, if a spell from the invocation/evocation school or the combat sphere of divine magic was cast upon an orblen, it detonated in a short-range, triple meteor swarm—a dozen 2 ft (61 cm) balls of flame, equally spaced around the centre as points on a compass, out to a distance of 20 ft (6.1 m)—with devastating effect. Due to overlapping spheres in the confined space, anyone or anything near the orblen when it exploded was likely to be hit by multiple meteors.
Orl is a red or orange gemstone is native to the Aetheus, found in the very soft rock inside 'blue caves, believed to be exclusive to the northern half of Aetheus, worth around 1,000 gp. Orls occurred as long, symmetric, sharp-edged crystals and ranged in colour from a dark, tawny yellow to orange to red. They were usually cut into faceted gems, but some enthusiasts preferred to wear the natural crystals in a claw mount, for example. Red-hued orls commanded the highest price. It was considered a prized gem among the drow.
A brittle, transparent gemstone worth around 50 gp. Also called pollucite. Orprase was a medium-hard, brittle stone that was either colourless or faintly straw-yellow and found transparent in otherwise uninteresting opaque rock samples. The stone could be facet-cut into small to medium-sized gems.
These gems were eagerly sought by followers of Maevericki and those that knew their secret. One orprase stone, powdered and mixed into at least 3 oz (90 ml) of wine that had been consecrated to Maevericki by a full-fledged priest of that faith, granted extraordinary good luck at resisting one attack or at performing one skill. The benefit occurred on the very next occasion after imbibing the potion, regardless of how long ago it was consumed.
Pearls were not mined, they were the product of oysters or other molluscs, but they were treated like gemstones—an opaque lustrous white sphere formed by aquatic creatures. Sometimes yellow or pink, sometimes gold or silver. Worth around 100 gp. Irregular freshwater pearls are worth only around 10 gp.
Pearls were formed of layers of tchazar (aragonite) around a bit of grit or other irritants, growing inside a mollusc over the span of a few years. This slow process gave pearls a smooth surface with a deep, rich lustre. Pearls were predominantly white but did occur in other colours such as gold, pink, or silver; rainbow and black being the rarest and valuable. The unique brilliant green pearls of the emerald oyster were valued at 500 gold pieces and above.
Over-sized pearls 3 inches (0.076 meters) were frequently flawed in some way and not as valuable. One exception to this was a perfect head-sized pearl that was enchanted to become a crystal ball. A typical pearl has a base value of 100 gp to 500 gp, depending on market value.
Peridot was the gem-quality version of olivine which occurred in volcanic basalts or with other quartz deposits. A transparent rich olive-green gemstone worth around 500 gp. It is reputed to ward off enchantments. These gemstones were found in shades of light to dark olive green and were usually facet cut. Peridots were frequently used as a material component for abjuration spells and in constructing magic items that offered protection against spells and enchantments, such as Mordenkainen's private sanctum. Depending on market demand, a typical specimen had a base value of 500 gp or 50 to 100 gp.
Phenalope, also known as rhodonite, was related to the less valuable rhodochrosite. These pink to rose-red semi-precious stones could be facet-cut or tumbled smooth. It was found in crystal form or in large non-crystalline deposits cut in slabs and then broken into smaller pieces for tumbling. Folklore said this stone would protect against magical fire. A typical specimen had a base value of 50 gp.
The stone's rough texture was the attraction for some. Such people wore phenalopes as a symbol of their tenacious nature.
Folklore was correct. Phenalope extinguished magical flames within a 60 ft (18.3 m) radius and prevented them from igniting or re-igniting. A fireball would only produce a flash of light and a puff of smoke around the surface of the sphere where the fireball would have detonated. Non-magical fires were also suppressed within range of this stone. No fires could be lit, and existing fires had a good chance of being extinguished. Oil-based fires were somewhat less susceptible to phenalope, but eventually, they would succumb also. Because of this property, phenalope was used as an inlay in the floors of large meeting halls, ballrooms, and other such places. Phenalope was effective in extinguishing the magical flame generated by mellochrysos.
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
Rock crystal was another name for colourless, transparent quartz—a transparent white, grey or yellow gemstone. More valuable than its common blue counterpart, it is worth around 50 gp. This clear semi-precious stone was considered lower grade if soft or brittle but was frequently used to adorn furniture or decorative headgear. High-grade samples free from impurities were used for optics, eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, and prisms.
When a spell required an unspecified gem of a certain value, rock crystals were generally used. A process could turn several rock crystals into a molten glass-like state that allowed it to be worked into weapons and other implements. The rock crystal was hard enough for mace heads, spearheads, ram heads, or even climbing spikes when it cooled. The process required three spells, two of which were minor but kept secret, and Veladar's vambrace.
Raindrop is the name given to the purest form of cassiterite, specifically to flawless, colourless crystals or colourless areas inside larger, dark brown cassiterite crystals. A hard, flawless, colourless transparent form of cassiterite. Worth around 400 gp, although the brown form of the gemstone is less valuable. In Aetheus, it is typically fashioned into polished teardrop shapes used to adorn cloaks. In their most prized form, these stones were clear, hard, and durable, suitable for small faceted gems, or they took a velvety smooth polish. Often they would be cut and polished into a teardrop shape and, when placed on cloaks and other garments, resembled raindrops, which gave them their popular name. The coloured part of the stone was much less valuable and known as woodtine. This gemstone and its woodtine form could be used as "residual magic" detectors, more sensitive than detect magic and other similar spells. When either variety was brought into contact with another gem, stone, or metal, it would darken in colour if that item had been previously enchanted and had since released its magical energies. The colour change was temporary and repeatable.
A red bright-red teardrop-shaped gemstone unique to Aetheus, worth around 1,000 gp. They were gemstones found only in the Realms in deep mines or anywhere old stone had been exposed by erosion, mining, or rockfall. Red tears were teardrop-shaped crystals with a glossy surface, vividly coloured fiery orange, cherry red, or blood crimson. Legends say they were the tears of lovers left behind after their sweethearts perished in battle, stained by the blood of the fallen. These gemstones served as a substitute for all material components used in any healing spell that didn't require specific construction. The powdered red tear was an ingredient for making the magic ink for creating scrolls of spells that mended broken objects.
An opaque light pink stone worth around 10 gp. Rhodochrosite, also known as rosenstone, was most often used in rings and pendants. These ornamental stones were various shades of pink and translucent with a glossy sheen. They could be tumbled and polished for jewellery. A quantity of rosenstone about the size of an eyeball could be crushed into a powder and brewed with a special tea. A being that had been poisoned or diseased could consume a pot of this tea for a chance at neutralize poison or cure the disease effect.
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
A translucent pink gem worth around 50 to 75 gp per carat. Called phenalope in Aetheus, where it is typically worth 50 gp.
A translucent pink gemstone traded in large quantities in the Aetheus, typically worth around 10 gp and found in large quantities of soft stone (usually cut in 1 lb/ 2.2kg blocks for trading) in small hard crystals. Also known as unionite, thulite, or pink zoisite. When found in purple, it is known as purple rosaline. The colour shifts on the angle of light, appearing purple, red, and blue or green.
The opaque pink variety of this ornamental stone was relatively soft. It could be tumbled or cut cabochon, while the harder crystal form could be faceted by a lapidarist and exhibited trichroism: three colours in the gem, each viewed from a different angle. The three colours were purple, red, and either blue or green for the third colour. A typical soft pink stone had a base value of 10 gp, whereas the trichroic crystal variety had a base price of 50 gp.
Some tri-coloured rosaline crystals with the proper mix of colours had the property of negating one colour of any prismatic spell. A correctly attuned crystal would vanish when the creature carrying or wearing it came in contact with the first colour layer of the prismatic spell effect, collapsing the layer with no harm to the creature. Negating the next layer required another crystal, and so on. Unfortunately, there was no known way to identify rosaline crystals that exhibited this property beforehand.
A gem worth around 100 gp per carat.
A transparent clear red gemstone worth around 5,000 gp. It is reputed to bring good luck. Ruby was a variety of corundum that was a popular and plentiful jewel and had many magical uses and its appeal as a sparkling gemstone. Rubies came in a variety of colours, from colourless through shades of red to deep crimson. The darker the shade and the fewer the inclusions and impurities, the more valuable was the gem.
Superstitions around Aetheus held that rubies bestowed good luck on their owners, but magical uses were more reliable. Crushed to a powder and used in the enchantment, rubies greatly enhanced personal magic items that increased skill, ability, resistance, or luck. Ruby powder was also used to create the magic ink for scribing divine spells of the elemental and sun spheres and arcane spells of the abjuration, alteration, or evocation schools. The best time of day to use powdered ruby was "the time of the summer sunset."
Facet cut and polished rubies were required to craft a helm of brilliance and were the gem of choice in decorating items that produced healing magic. With the proper incantations, rubies could ward against natural and magical lightning and earthquakes. Extremely rarely, a ruby might contain a creature that could be released from the stone by delicately shattering it. Such creatures were usually unknown in Aetheus and grew rapidly upon release.
A crushed ruby worth at least 1,000 gp was required to cast the mighty necromantic spell Soul Shift.
Rubies were one of the preferred gems for the psionic circuitry in the inventions of the Creative Creed.
Supposedly, powdered ruby was an ingredient in the vision-granting deep gnomish wine Gogondy.
Otherwise known as Microlite. A durable reddish-brown or pale brown gemstone. Small stones are worth 400 gp and are often used to adorn weapons. Rusteen occurred in shades of brown from pale to dark reddish-brown. They were small but tough and could be cut into faceted gems and decorate swords, armour, shields, and horse tack.
This precious stone could be used as a material component for force cage and wall of force spells.
An opaque form of chalcedony, often found in ivory or yellow, with inclusions of brown or greenish-black, often arranged in a star pattern. Worth around 10 gp. In Aetheus, where fist-sized chunks are commonly traded, the gem is also called needle stone, love stone, or hairstone.
Saganite was usually a bone-white to the yellow stone with contrasting brown or greenish-black needles. The needles most often radiated from a central point like a star. Large samples were common, and it was often traded as "a fist of saganite" in the marketplaces of Ankh'hera.
When added to the material component of any spell that produced explosions or bursts of fire, this stone increased the power of the detonation or flame by a small amount.
A hard, heavy black gem native to Aetheus. It is worth around 50 gp. Samarskite was a semi-precious gem used for mourning jewellery or to adorn black ceremonial dresses. Samarskite was a rare-earth mineral, hard and dense, with a velvet-black metallic lustre, usually cut cabochon. One or more samarskite gems, carried or worn on the body, was known to protect against the undead by reducing the severity of their attacks by a small amount.
An opaque pale yellow gemstone found in deserts, worth around 10 gp. Sanidine was an ornamental stone found on the surface of dunes and gravel screes. Sanidine was favoured by the nomadic, desert-dwelling Mekrodemzai and facet-cut to ring-stone size or smaller. Sanidine was a pale tan to the straw yellow form of feldspar. Large specimens (about thumb-sized or bigger) could be used to replace all but specially constructed spell components in the casting of spells related to water or purification.
A translucent greyish-green gem of volcanic origin, worth around 10 gp. Also called thomsonite, lintonite, comptonite, ozakite, eye stone, or fire rock. It occurred in small nodules up to 1 in (2.5 cm) diameter left behind in cavities formed by volcanic activity.
This ornamental stone was fibrous and, therefore, both tough and soft. It was usually greyish-green in colour but was sometimes beautifully coloured with rings of pink, red, white, and green.
Adding sarbossa to the material component of spells that morphed the shape of a target object or creature added one to two minutes to the spell's duration.
Sardonyx was a variety of banded onyx. An opaque red-and-white banded gemstone. Worth around 50 gp. Sardonyx was characterized by alternating stripes of carnelian (also known as sard) and white onyx. These semi-precious stones were usually cut cabochon to show off the banded pattern but were also used in cameo work.
Sardonyx had many uses in magical Art. It was used as a spell component and in creating magic items that affected wisdom. It was reported to have the same properties as the much rarer king's tears, except it was not indestructible. And it was one of the "nine secrets" (gemstones that could become Ioun stones if enchanted properly). Wearing or carrying sardonyx could also absorb minimal damage from a magic missile, but this was a random occurrence and thus not very reliable.
Soft, sparkling gypsum, called feather gypsum, in white or pale colours like pink, orange or brown. Easy to work and often used in crafting. Worth around 10 gp. It was mainly used in carvings. This ornamental stone was too soft for jewellery but accepted a good polish. Satin spar was naturally white, pink, pale orange, or pale brown but could be dyed to almost any solid hue (this process ruined its sparkle, however). These stones could partially protect against magic missiles if worn, carried or touched at the time of missile impact. One satin spar could absorb one half the damage of one magic missile, vaporizing in the process.
A soft yellow gemstone native to Aetheus was the term for gem-quality scapolite stones. Scapras are worth around 100 gp. Usually, rough crystal scapras were found in pale to medium yellow hues. This stone could be easily worked even by the unskilled and could be facet cut, but it was too soft for everyday wear in rings or clothing. This stone could be added to the material component of the guards and wards spell and enhanced its effects but was consumed in the casting. Specifically, each scapra added allowed one additional magical effect (dancing lights, magic mouth, stinking cloud, gust of wind, or suggestion) or a phantasmal force. Up to five scapras could be used, granting a total of five additional effects.
A translucent, semi-precious stone often found in vivid green and worth around 50 gp. It is reputed to improve the bearer's cunning. Serpentine was the name given to a family of related materials that included williamsite, ricolite, verde antique, picrolite, taxoite, bowenite, and sometimes referred to as "poor man's jade". Top-quality samples of williamsite were classified as semi-precious stones, and all other varieties were treated as hardstones sold under the name serpentine stone.
(Serpentine Stone) This greenish material was found in large deposits and could cut be into thin slabs for ornamental screening, used as an inlay or as ornamental surfacing. A typical price was 3gp per pound (6.6 gp/kg). It was used for carving, furniture inlays, and building facing. It was also known as Verde Antique.
(Serpentine Stone) This stone was used in the creation of the figurine of wondrous power known as the serpentine owl. Certain varieties of this mineral shared the same protective properties as the gem-quality serpentine, i.e., it granted a one-time boon of resist fire and a resist the cold spell, disintegrating to dust after reacting to one each of extreme cold and extreme heat. Only skilled jewellers, miners, and spellcasters with experience working with this stone could determine if a particular sample had this magical property or not.
Gem quality serpentine was translucent with an intense green colour and could be facet cut or made into cabochons to decorate weapons, armour, and barding or mounted in rings, pendants, and jewellery of all types.
Carrying, wearing, or being in contact with a gemstone of this type (Williamite) could confer the equivalent of a resist cold and a resist fire to that individual. If more than one serpentine gem was present, only one stone activated per exposure to extreme heat or cold at a time. Each gem could protect against one cold effect and one heat effect before crumbling to useless dust.
A tiny transparent gem is native to Aetheus. Also known as natrolite. This mineral was found in thin crystals that produced tiny faceted gems often used to adorn clothing. Using many Shandon, a skilled clothier could weave them into a veil or a robe, giving it a sheen like beads of water on a spider's web. Because of their size and lack of colour, the top price was most likely to be had from those gem cutters and dealers familiar with their artistic value. Worth around 100 gp.
If an item of clothing had at least seven Shandon gems attached to it, then one of the gems could be enchanted with the ironguard spell, which gave the garment a permanent ironguard effect that protected the parts of the body covered by the magic apparel. Like the spell, any poisons on the non-magical metal could still be introduced into the body, but no harm would come from metal passing through the garment or the body parts protected by it. The spell effect was cancelled if the enchanted gem was crushed, shattered, or separated from the garment.
Coloured quartz found in Aetheus, worth around 10 gp. Also called novaculite. This stone was usually gritty, and its major use was for sharpening. Occasionally the grit was fine enough to make large cabochon ornamental stones. Sharpstone's hardness made it difficult to polish to full lustre. This stone could be used to increase the area of effect of a spell with a corresponding decrease in damage (or duration of the spell did not have a damage effect). Any size or amount of sharp stone could be used and was consumed in the casting.
Sparkling quartz worth 10 gp. A fibrous variety of quartz similar to the tiger eye. This ornamental stone was found in many colours, yellow being the most common, and was cut cabochon, tumbled, or used for engravings, such as seals for merchants and nobles. It exhibited faint highlights when the light hit at certain angles. Like Tiger Eye, silkstone was worn as a protection from spirits, though this was more old wives' tales than fact. However, shadows were known to hesitate briefly when encountering someone with a silkstone, perhaps giving them time to flee. This property also made powdered silkstone a viable substitute component when casting spells related to life-energy drain and restoring those effects. It was also used in the creation of magical inks needed to make scrolls of those spells.
A rare yellow stone. Gems around an inch across are worth 100 gp—a rare find in streambed gravel, both active streams and ancient, dried-up riverbeds. When polished cabochon or cut, these fancy stones were called Sinhalas; in natural form, these crystals were rounded pebbles, tumbled and smoothed by water action. They were yellow-brown to pale stray-yellow and yielded gemstones up to 1 in (2.5 centimetres) in diameter. A Sinhala could prevent magical Darkness in a 20ft (6.1m) radius around the stone.
A translucent meteoric glass worth around 50 gp. A common name was given to tektite material; fragments of glass of meteoric origin found in the shifting dunes of Vashara and other deserts. Skydrop stones were usually clear to be lightly shaded with a glassy lustre. These stones were left uncut and merely polished and mounted in a claw setting as earrings and pendants. A creature touching, wearing, or carrying a skydrop gemstone was immune to petrification.
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat. Occurring often in granite, always occurring as a blend of well-formed crystals, varying in colour from very dark red to bright yellow-orange.
A soft, transparent yellow or green gem native to Aetheus. Sphene was a precious tone that came in many colours, and like Scarpa, was easily worked by unskilled cutters. It is sacred to the dwarven mother goddess Berronar Truesilver, whose followers believe them to be her solidified tears. Worth around 500 gp, with the emerald-like green gems, most highly valued. Spherne was a soft, brittle gemstone that came in yellow to deep green with fine emerald green as the most prized hue. Sphene crystals could be cut into beautiful, sparkling, faceted gems of small to medium size. Wearers of this stone may not have known it, but they were much less likely to be hit by lightning or lightning-like spells or effects. And if they were struck, the damage not as bad as it might have been.
A transparent red, red-brown, or deep green gem worth around 100 gp. The Red Spinels were said to come from the southern desert country, while Blue Spinels came from the East, and the rare green spinels came from the Dredjericho Jungles. All types were transparent or translucent and durable. A typical blue specimen had a base value of 500 gp, while the red to green shades were valued at around 100 gp. If a spinel was crushed in a particular way and then ingested, a spellcasting creature could instantly remember (and recast) the last spell cast. Spinel was a common stone among the Drow, a gem worn by Drow of the average station, albeit they only used deep blue.
A translucent smoky rosy-pink stone with a white, star-shaped centre. Worth around 50 gp, about the same as transparent quartz. It was used as a centrepiece in modest jewellery, like pectorals and earrings, worn mainly by the matrons of long-established houses.
While carrying or wearing one of these stones, the star rose quartz had a chance to deflect a spell directed at the bearer. Because of this property, this semi-precious stone was an alternate spell component for all abjuration spells and any divine magic of the protection sphere that could use a material component that wasn't specially prepared for a particular spell.
Star Ruby was a rare form of red corundum that exhibited asterism (a reflective optical effect that highlighted a white six-pointed star on the surface of cabochon-cut stones). A translucent red gem with a white star-shaped centre. They were more opaque than regular gem-quality rubies. Other stars with even-numbered points were also possible. About one out of every one hundred rubies was a star ruby. Worth around 1,000 gp, less valuable than a pure ruby.
Star rubies shared all the properties of plain rubies plus some very unique healing abilities. This jewel could be used to create a superlative healing vapour that, when inhaled it delivered the combined effects of:
Star Sapphire was a scarce form of sapphire that exhibited asterism (a reflective optical effect highlighting a white six-pointed star-shaped concentration of reflected or refracted light from a gemstone). A translucent blue gem with a white star-shaped centre - but were more opaque than regular quality sapphires. About 1 in 1000 sapphires was a star sapphire. Worth between 1,000-5,000 gp, although a single star sapphire the size of a fist exists in the hoard of a dracolich with a value of 12,000 gp. Black star sapphire is worth around the same as the blue variety. It is reputed to protect the bearer from magic.
They were often used to make and decorate devices and objects to ward off hostile magic, such as Globes of Invulnerability, allowing them to be effective against stronger spells. Many spells could be enhanced by adding a star sapphire to the material component. For example, the duration of an antimagic shell could be extended for more than two hours beyond the usual time limit.
They were considered prized gems among the Drow. They considered it somewhat of a lucky charm for those who could use magic and a very bold choice for others. Old priestesses particularly used it.
Sunstone was a soft, opaque feldspar gemstone with bright red or orange sparkles, worth around 10 gp. Related to the moonstone. Technically a type of oligoclase. The most common variety of this ornamental stone was soft and could only be cut cabochon. Still, it did occur in a colourless or slightly greenish variety that was facet grade. Cabochons of sunstone were rarely more than 3/4's of an inch (2 cm) in diameter. They had glittering red or orange inclusions suspended in a nearly colourless matrix, giving the overall stone a warm golden or reddish-brown hew.
Sunstones could be made into talismans, usually, in the form of jewellery, that acted on the undead just like full sunlight. A sunstone talisman had to be charged by being left in full sun for at least one day (about six hours of continuous exposure). Thereafter, the talisman could be worn and would remain dormant until the wearer was successfully attacked (physically touched) by an undead creature. If the undead attacker were affected by sunlight, it would:
Tabasheer was opal-like silica found in the joints of certain types of bamboo. They were found in irregular nuggets that were usually tumbled smooth and then polished to a velvety sheen. They were worn in rings and decorated the fringes of shawls and pectorals. This gemstone was also used as currency in trade deals, particularly when bartering with barbarian tribes. This semi-precious stone is worth around 50 gp.
When ground to a powder and place on the tongue or in an open wound, tabasheer had a remarkable effect on the subject when Cure Light Wounds was cast upon it: the recipient of this treatment gained a temporary health boost that lasted for 24 hours or until the health was lost due to subsequent injury, poison or illness.
A solid colour when seen at different angles of blue, violet and burgundy. Its colours were more evident when subjected to fluorescent light, and the violet hues can be seen more readily when viewed under incandescent illumination. In its rough state, tanzanite has coloured a reddish-brown to clear colour and requires heat treatment to remove the brownish 'veil' and bring out the blue-violet of the stone—Gem worth around 150 gp. Rarer blue tanzanite is worth slightly more than the more common variety, around 175 gp per carat.
Argonite, which occurred in long prism-shaped crystals that were straw-yellow and very fragile. A lapidarist o great skill was required to cut faceted gems from this semi-precious stone. Cabochon-cut tchazar was much less valuable (treated as an ornamental stone). It was known to be a soft, translucent yellow gemstone. Worth around 10 gp unless cut into a faceted gem, which is difficult due to its fragility and softness, but worth 50 gp.
This gemstone was important to those who feared magical scrying because tchazar interfered with scrying devices and spells, rendering anything within 2ft (60 cm) of a tchazar stone blurry and indistinguishable. The effect was the same regardless of how the tchazar was cut (cabochon, faceted, or natural crystal), so it was used to adorn many personal items and locations where privacy was of utmost importance. This magical smoke screen effect was lost if the tchazar stone was shattered.
Thuparlial, also known as prehnite, was found in hardened lava as a lining to gas cavities in the rock, but rarely was this lining thick enough or an attractive colour to warrant cutting it into gemstones. A hard, transparent green, greenish-yellow or brown gemstone of volcanic origin, also known as prehnite. Worth around 10 gp. Thuparlial was a hard, resilient, and translucent gemstone which varied in colour from deep green through pale greenish-yellow and from yellow to brown. Thuparlial was cut in facets if light-coloured but otherwise made into cabochons.
Powdered, this mineral was used in inks for creating the pyrotechnics and heat metal spells. Red wizards who had access to large quantities of thuparlial experimented with using it as a substitute ingredient for many fire- and heat-based spells. It was unknown if they succeeded.
Tiger Eye Agate, also known as Tiger's Eye, was a member of the agate family. This was a translucent brown striped gemstone with a golden-hued centre. It exhibited a silky lustre called chatoyancy. This ornamental stone was named for its colour and its stripes. Worth around 10 gp. Also known as binghamite.
Legends about this mineral said that it repelled undead and restless spirits but had never been proven to be true. Regardless of the lack of evidence, the legend generated a demand for tiger eyes to be powdered and used in inks to mark caskets, sarcophagi, and tombs to prevent the dead from rising and as an ingredient in Potions of Undead Control.
Tomb Jade was the name for jade buried for centuries and turned from green to red or brown. Tomb jade was rare and commanded a high price in the Realms. Normal jade was considered a fancy stone, but after being mined and possibly worked, then buried for great lengths of time, it changed colour and was worth ten times as much. A typical specimen had a base value of 1,000 gp. Note that jade turned green if buried with items made of bronze which rendered it equivalent in value to normal jade.
Powdered tomb jade was an ingredient in potions of undead control. It could also be used as a talisman for turning undead, granting a priest a second chance to turn an undead creature after a failed attempt.
Topaz was a precious stone that occurred in granite deposits, sometimes yielding large, gem-quality crystals. A transparent golden yellow gemstone worth around 500 gp. The topaz dragon is named for this gemstone. It is reputed to ward off evil spells. It was a tough, clear gemstone that was usually golden yellow but could be found in shades from yellow to brown. Topaz turned pink or light blue if subjected to high temperatures. A typical specimen has a base value of 500 gp. These crystals were known to reach impressive sizes; some gems could reach up to several hundred pounds.
The bigger sized gems were a customary gift on state occasions. For such events, topazes were worked only by the most skilled master gem cutters.
They were often used to create items that conferred protection from magical effects because this stone protected the item itself from trauma due to force, acid, fire, certification and disintegration. It was the preferred component when making a Gem of Brightness because Topaz took on the hardness of mithral when so enchanted.
Topaz gems naturally stored healing magic. By casting a healing spell on this gemstone, the topaz could be placed into an open wound where it would release its stored magic and dissipate completely, or it could be powdered wand mixed with milk or wine in a mithral vessel (any other substance leeched the magic out of the mixture before it could be consumed). A topaz healing taught tasted cold and sour.
Topaz was sometimes called the jewel of light because it could extend the duration of faerie fire spells cast upon it for a few days to nearly a month. This versatile gem was also used in the explosive druid spell Sol's Searing Orb.
They were also used to create masterfully crafted bands by dwarves, inlaying them with multiple shimmering topaz gems, enchanted so that the ring increased a wearer's defence, much like a Ring of Protection.
A long-crystallised mineral that came in many colours. The more common being pale shades of blue, brown, gold, green, pink, red and silver pearl. White or colourless tourmaline was called waterstar. If multiple colours occurred in the same crystal, it was known as rainbow tourmaline and was priced in the higher precious stone range. Black tourmaline was called ravenar and was considered a gemstone. A typical monochromatic specimen had a base value of 100 gp. Tourmaline as a transparent pale green, blue, brown or red gem was worth around 100 gp. Red tourmaline is worth slightly more than other colours, averaging 125 gp per carat.
All Tourmaline could absorb any spell cast upon it and immediately convert it into three lightning bolts that blasted outward in straight lines from the crystal facets in directions chosen by the caster. This act consumed the gem in the process.
Ravenar, also called Schorl, is a rare black variety of tourmaline native to Aetheus, worth around 1,000 gp and often inlaid in daggers and the like. It occurred in long crystals like other varieties of tourmaline and was a solid gloss black. Commonly used for inlay work on weapons and accoutrements. They were considered prize gems among the Drow, and their deity was known to occasionally send ravenars to show his favour and disfavour to their followers.
A tiny translucent pink gem worth around 100 gp. Also called hexagonite, and technically a variety of tremolite. In raw ore, tremair was found as small, pink, clear to translucent crystals. These could be cut into smaller faceted gems. These small gemstones were sewn or woven into gowns that debutantes wore at social occasions, signifying eligibility for marriage.
If worn next to the skin, tremair gems bestowed an immunity to magical curses on the wearer.
An opaque turquoise gemstone worth around 10 gp. It is reputed to aid horses. Typically found in more arid locations around Aetheus. This ornamental stone was an opaque blue to greenish-blue and usually occurred with blotches of darker hues in the mix.
Elves valued the pure colour stones (without the darker mottling) for casting sky-related magic, and mages used turquoise to create items related to flight. It was used as a good luck charm by horsemen who put turquoise in their horse's harnesses to ward off misstep or trail hazards. Turquoise had a slight gleam when it came near gold and therefore was associated with prosperity. Foredawn (4:45 am-5:15 am)was the best time of day to apply an immersion containing turquoise.
A soft translucent yellow gem highly prized in Aetheus, where it is worth around 100 gp. Easy to work, it is also known as amblygonite. It was a soft but shatter-resistant fancy stone. This gem occurred in pale to deep yellow hues and was easily worked into large cabochons or faceted gems popular in jewellery, even by the unskilled.
It was prized for its healing and regenerative properties. If placed in a wound, a ulvaen crystal would melt away in a matter of minutes and deliver its healing magic. How much healing was completely random for any given stone. As the healing magic suffused the wound, it would first attempt to stop any bleeding. If that succeeded, then damaged organs had a chance to be restored. If that succeeded, then any open wounds might close. And finally, if all previous healing attempts were successful, there was a chance for an improvement in overall health, similar to cure wounds. Regardless of when the healing magic ran out, some modest health benefit was gained. If the injury was internal, the ulvaen was placed on the victim's tongue until it resolved. This gemstone could heal humans, demihumans, and other humanoids.
A translucent pale green stone that occasionally had rings or bands when cut. Worth around 10 gp. Also called lucinite or peganite in some worlds. It was an ornamental stone found in nodules or rock seams. It was translucent and came in deep to pale shades of yellowish-green. When cutting cabochon and polished, they occasionally displayed grey and yellow bands or rings ("eyes").
Variscite was poisonous to lycanthropes and, if delivered into the bloodstream on the weapon's tip, caused triple the normal damage for that strike. Once a lycanthrope was infected with variscite, further exposure did no additional harm until the subject recovered - a process that took a full 24 hours. The infection could be accomplished if a variscite stone, say mounted in a ring, or other jewellery were pressed into an open wound on a lycanthrope or touched the creature's tongue.
A transparent opal with a play of flashing colour, worth around 1,000 gp. A rare and valuable gemstone. Favoured by water or sea deities. Opals without any colour were considered plain hyalite, an inferior stone, and near worthless. Water opal was rare and highly prized for use in decorating mirrors and windows and creating scrying devices such as crystal balls.
An elixir of health could be made without any spellcasting by grinding a water opal into powder and mixing it with holy water.
A rare sparkling transparent gemstone worth 200 gp when free of inclusions. Also known as achroite or colourless tourmaline. Gem-quality stones had to be flawless and could yield large faceted jewels that sparkled. Waterstar, like all tourmalines, could absorb any spell cast upon it and immediately convert it into three lightning bolts that blasted outward from the crystal facets. This act consumed the gem in the process.
A white gemstone worth around 1,000 gp.
A translucent yellow or white semi-precious stone worth around 50 gp. They were found in large, fibrous deposits containing zones of translucent gem-quality material. If large enough, they yielded faceted pale yellow to whitish gems. Rarely, witherite occurred in clusters of translucent yellowish crystals, which also yielded faceted gemstones.
Witherite offered some protection or immunity to the withering effects of necromantic reversed spells and certain psionic attacks. The stone had to be mounted in a special electrum setting that allowing direct skin contact with the witherite. This was known to work for at least humans and demihumans.
An opaque form of rhyolite with red, brown, tan, or purple bands, worth around 10 gp. These ornamental stones were found in large deposits and could've been cut into blocks of almost a cubic foot (27000 cubic centimetres) in size when quarried. It was typically cut cabochon and took a fair to good polish.
When wonderstone came into direct contact with a magical item, an enchanted being, or an ordinary item that bore an enchantment, it emitted a royal blue or strange blue-green glow for up to twenty minutes. Thus it was seen by some use as a magic detector, but more often, it was put to mundane use as an inlay in fine furniture and panelling to provide novel mood lighting for light-hearted social events like balls, feasts and parties.
An opaque brownish stone of casserite, worth around 10 gp. This brownish and fibrous ornamental stone was found in large nodules and was cut cabochon. The name of this stone was a corruption o the odd term "wood tin", applied colloquially to this gemstone. They could be used as a 'residual magic detector', more sensitive than detect magic and other similar spells. When woodtine was brought into contact with another gem, stone, or metal, it would darken in colour if that item had been previously enchanted and had since released its magical energies. The colour change was temporary and repeatable.
A transparent yellow-green or fiery yellow gemstone worth around 1,000 gp.
An extremely soft, brilliant, transparent gemstone. Cerussite was an extremely soft-leak like mineral, colourless and easily cut. Worth only 10 gp due to its extreme softness, which makes it impractical for most jewellery. Used in ceremonial or little-used jewellery or set in small protective claw mounts on sleeves or collar-hems of gowns. Because it felt soapy to the touch, small zarbrina stones could be used on fancy intimate apparel or sewn into bed linens without causing discomfort.
Powdered zarbrina could be used as an ingredient for magical ink when dealing with illusion magic.
An opaque mottled blue-white gemstone is found in large egg-shaped crystals in solidified lava flows. It was a gemstone with remarkable preservative properties. Zendalure crystals could be found in places where lava had cooled and become solid. These blotchy blue-white crystals formed egg-shaped nodules approximately 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) in diameter and could be polished to a mirror-like finish. They were frequently used as inlays or cut into small cabochons for rings, earrings, and pendants. Worth around 2,000 gp.
Zendalure could be made into a syrup by crushing the stones into a powder and mixing it with water. This syrup could completely and indefinitely protect flesh and bone from all rot and decay. The meat or body parts had to be fully immersed in the mixture and not allowed exposure to sunlight directly. This preservative was known to keep fresh mammalian, reptilian, or avian flesh.
A rare high-grade translucent zoisite flashes in three different colours depending on the angle of the light: purple, red, and blue or green—worth 300 gp. Ziose was the name given by sages to a particularly transparent variety of rosaline. A rare mineral yielded facet-grade stones that flashed three different colours depending on how the light refracted through them or what angle they were viewed - purple, blue and red, or purple, green, and red. Huge (fist, foot, or human head-sized) specimens of these fancy stones were sometimes found and prized for use in pendants by very tall humans, demihumans and humanoids. Sometimes the crystal was mistakenly called "Suicide".
A ziose gem could fire multiple barrages of magic missiles at the command of the last creature to touch it, provided that the creature had intelligence and knowledge of this ability. This being had to be within a few yards (metres) of the gemstone and had only to will it to happen. Salvos of missiles could continue for a few minutes and then cease. The ziose could not be activated again until it had time to recharge. This ability required no other effort or concentration from the activator, so it is unclear whether multiple targets could be affected or whether the missiles came out of a single facet all in the same direction.
A transparent pale bluish-green gemstone worth around 50 gp. A mineral that could be cut into faceted gems. It was volcanic in origin, found in igneous rock formations. It was a brownish crystal that turned pale blue when heated sufficiently and cut into faceted gemstones. Zircons were sometimes substituted for more valuable gems to fool the uninitiated. Still, anyone with a passing knowledge of gemology (a jeweller, a dwarf, or even a seasoned adventurer) could notice the difference. Zircons had an affinity for magic and could be enchanted easily, making them a favourite for creating magical items.
CHARACTERISTICS
Gemstones have a wide variety of physical traits, including size, hardness, colour, and translucency. Some have streaks or patterns running through them, while others are pure. Over one hundred varieties of gemstones have been identified and named. As minerals, gems are resistant to fire, although lightning is known to destroy gemstones.VALUE
Even the least valuable semi-precious gemstones are worth around 10 gold pieces. The most priceless gemstones are worth as much as one million gold pieces, although these are exceedingly rare, and most adventurers will go their entire careers without ever finding one. Gemstones are traditionally divided into four categories which determine their value: ornamental stones, such as malachite and lapis lazuli, worth around 10 gold pieces; semi-precious stones, such as onyx or moonstone, worth around 50 gp; fancy stones, such as amethyst and topaz, worth around 100 gp; and true gemstones, such as emerald and diamond, worth upwards of 1,000 gp. Fancy stones are further divided into fancy (worth around 100 gp) and precious (worth around 500 gp), while gemstones are divided into gemstones (worth around 1,000 gp) and jewels (worth 5,000 gp or more). Gemstones are weighed in carats, with most weighing only one or two carats. An exceedingly rare few weigh as much as a thousand carats. The cheapest ornamental stones, such as obsidian, are worth around 10 gp per carat, while valuable gems such as diamond and ruby are worth around 200 gp per carat. Gemstones are typically cut into polyhedral shapes. An uncut rough gemstone is worth considerably less than one finished by a professional gem cutter. Even then, many factors affect the gem's final value, including colour, clarity, impurities and the shape of its cut. In large cities, the value of gemstones can fluctuate considerably based on the fashions of the wealthy.USES
Appraising the value of a gemstone often requires a level of skill, so unlike coinage, they are not widely used as basic currency. Jewellery, art objects and magic items are often inlaid with gemstones. Many gemstones are reputed to have innate magical properties. While it is merely a superstitious folk belief that was simply possessing a gemstone grants any magical benefit, there is some truth to it, as gemstones are often used to produce expensive potions and inks used in scrolls as vital components of various spells. Many gemstones also have religious significance to the followers of certain deities. For example, a miner who follows the god Ergo and unexpectedly discovers a vein of malachite may believe it is a sign that his deity is pleased with him.LIST OF GEMSTONES
The prices and descriptions below are typical for a typical gemstone. Individual stones can vary significantly in price, often by as much as 50%, and unique gemstones can be worth several times the typical stone of that type.Agate
Agate, the gemstone, came in many forms and colours, most considered ornamental stones or hardstones in Aetheus. Agates were a form of chalcedony, making them a part of the large family of gems and minerals.
Common varieties in Aetheus included:
ORNAMENTAL STONES
- Banded agate
- Eye agate
- Fire agate
- Frost agate
- Moss agate
- Tiger Eye agate
- Iris agate
- Turritella
Agni mani
Agni mani was given to certain tektites—glass-like objects formed when hot meteors fell from the sky and struck sand. They were typically found in Vashara and other deserts around Aetheus. An opaque black gem made of meteoric glass, worth around 10 gp. Agni mani specifically meant the black variety of these irregularly shaped objects. They were used unmodified in magic items, or bits of them were sewn into garments for their protective quality. This gemstone could absorb a small random portion of an explosive blast, such as produced by a fireball or beads of force, vaporizing in the process. Agni manis only protected the being that was carrying or wearing them.
Alamandine
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
Alestone
An opaque brown or yellowish-brown semi-precious stone is common in Aetheus. Also known as clinzoisite. It is worth around 50 gp. This gem was named for its brown to yellowish-brown colour that resembled a well-aged ale. It was mined in crystal form and usually facet cut into fashionable gems. Alestone had the ability to deflect missiles away from itself. A being wearing one or more alestones was slightly less likely to hit projectiles (any number of alestone gems greater than zero was equally effective). Conversely, it was somewhat difficult to catch a thrown alestone or quickly grab a stationary one. Some adventurers called alestone a "scatterer".
Alexandrite
Alexandrite was once considered a fancy stone, but it had surged in price to that of a precious stone. A transparent dark green gemstone worth around 500gp. In folk belief, Alexandrite is reputed to give good omens. This transparent gem was a form of chrysoberyl green in hue under natural light but appeared reddish when viewed under non-natural lights such as arcane light spells. It was usually facet cut and used for jewellery such as earrings or pendants. Alexandrites were used as a magic focus for items that provided good luck, favourable reactions, protection, or other good omens. Examples included luck stones and the cursed lodestone.
Algae
Algae was an ornamental stone found in Aetheus used as decoration on baldrics (bandoliers), belts, and inlay on fine furniture. A type of opaque quartz with dark brown wavy patterns, worth around 10 gp. Algae was a variety of quartz similar to banded agate, but the bands were wavy and usually found in shades of dark brown. These gemstones were usually cut a cabochon or sliced and polished to a glassy finish to bring out the design.
A being in direct contact with algae or wearing it was more likely to resist polymorphing effects caused by spells, psionic attacks, and other arcane or divine shape-altering enchantments. This resistance was conferred whether the subject was willing or not.
Amaratha
Amber
Amber was not a mineral, but this fossilized tree resin was graded as a fancy stone by civilized peoples, and beads of almost any quality were traded as currency among the northern barbarians. A transparent golden gemstone formed in ancient times by solidified tree sap. Now worth around 100 gp. It is reputed to ward off disease.
Amber was yellow to gold to orange in hue and very soft and brittle. It was easily worked into strings of beads, but larger pieces were usually tumbled into smooth stones or polished and cut cabochon. Specimens that contained other fossils, like plants and insects, were priced four to five times higher than the base value.
Amber could be used as a material component for most spells that dealt with electrical discharge, from as small as shocking grasp to as powerful as chain lightning. It was also used to make the ink for inscribing such spells. Giant versions of insects and other vermin could be magically placed into a gem-quality amber to make an amber amulet of vermin. A staff of eyes was tipped with a large piece of amber. The stone walk spell required a paste made from amber and ruby dust to treat the areas where the spell would operate. An amber rod was used in the casting of thunderball.
Amethyst
Andar
Angelar's Skin
Aquamarine
Aradite
Augelite
A soft, clear crystal worth around 10 gp. Augelite was an ornamental stone. This gemstone was transparent, colourless, and soft enough to carve without special tools or exceptional skill but too soft for intricate carving because it tended to split. The power of this stone was its antipathy to magic. Spells were slightly easier to resist, and magically-induced injury was slightly lessened within a 10 ft (3 m) radius around an augelite gem.
Aventurine
A variety of sparkling quartz is found in shades of gold, green or blue. Also called love stone, except in the Aetheus, where that name refers to saganite. Worth around 50 gp. Aventurine, also known as a love stone, was usually discovered in large deposits—blocks up to 20 lb (9.1 kg) were not unusual. This semi-precious stone was a variety of quartz that glittered when viewed from certain angles due to mica inclusions. It could be found in shades of green from medium to light, blues from dark to pale, or warm gold. Faceting only detracted from the flash below the surface of this translucent stone, so it was tumbled smooth, cut cabochon, or used as an inlay or in carvings.
Crushed to a powder and sprinkled, thrown or blown, aventurine could dispel on contact most illusions and transformations, such as those used for disguise.
Azurite
Banded agate
Beljuril
A smooth, spherical and extremely hard opaque sea-green gem found in huge fist-sized chunks worth 5,000 gp. Unique to the Aetheus, and noted for its property to periodically emit light.
Beryl
According to a folk belief, beryl wards off enemies. "Heliodor", golden beryl, is worth around 400 gp.
Black opal
A translucent dark green gemstone with black mottling and golden flecks. Worth around 1,000 gp. Black opal was a dark version of opal found in ancient active or dormant hot springs. This stone had a dim greenish matrix with blotches of black and flashes of gold. It was usually smoothed by tumbling and cut cabochon. Black opals had an affinity for force effects and could be used in the creation of wands that were particularly good at delivering force spells. If powdered and mixed with crushed orl, it formed a powerful explosive that could be touched off by an open flame if done properly. The blast was extremely devastating to anything within 10 ft (3 m) and could still do significant damage to creatures and objects up to 30 ft (9.1 m) away.
One recipe for a helm of darkness called for thirty-six black opals and a black sapphire.
Calling a rogue (or anyone who operated in the shadows, away from the spotlight) "black as a black opal" was an ironic way of saying that they had a good heart without causing them too much embarrassment.
Black pearl
A rare pure black pearl worth around 500 gp.
Black sapphire
A rare translucent lustrous black gem with glowing highlights. More valuable than a standard sapphire and worth around 5,000 gp. Black sapphire was a rare variety of sapphire found mainly in the south. These stones were inky, lustrous black that reflected white or yellow highlights and was facet-cut like their blue cousins. When cut and polished, a jewel-quality black sapphire prevented time-related spells from operating within a range of 30 ft (9.1 m). Spells such as temporal stasis, time stop, and spells from the arcane chronomancy school or divine time sphere all ceased functioning, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the nature of the spell These gems could also be used in the creation of exceptionally powerful wands that stored spells like darkness and related magics. The darkness effects produced were either more difficult for the target to resist or the spell's strength increased, again, depending on the nature of the spell.
Bloodstone
An opaque dark grey gemstone with red flecks. Worth around 50 gp. A folk belief claims bloodstone allows one to control the weather. Bloodstone was a semi-precious stone found mostly in Aetheus. Bloodstone was Aetheus name for the mineral heliotrope, a deep green-grey chalcedony with inclusions of red jasper that looked like flecks of blood. It was usually cut cabochon and either polished into smooth ovals or given bevelled edges when worn for adornment. A typical specimen had a base value of 50 gp.
One of the most important properties of bloodstone was as a medicinal agent similar to the herb bloodstaunch. When a bloodstone gem was pressed on an open wound, it caused the blood to coagulate, the wound to close, and any blood diseases or poisons removed. No health was restored, but further injury from blood loss was prevented. The gemstone dissolved upon conferring its benefits. A being could only receive this treatment once in a lunar cycle, i.e., another such treatment would not be effective until a month had passed.
Bloodstones could also be used as a substitute spell component for most divination spells and magics that were related to storms. One gem and one sprig of the heliotrope herb worked as material components for the invisibility spell.
Blue quartz
Blue sapphire
Blue spinel
Bluestone
Boakhar
Brandeen
Carbuncle
Carnelian
Chalcedony
An opaque white gemstone worth around 50 gp. It is reputed to ward off undead. Also known as sard, a folk belief claims that it improves wisdom. Chalcedony was a semi-precious stone that was the base mineral in many gem-quality stones, but in the Realms the more colorful varieties all had their own names (see below). In Aetheus, chalcedony referred to the mostly colorless versions of these gemstones.
The vast majority of chalcedony gems were white to off-white, rarely shading to gray or black. They could be found in deposits that yielded large gem-quality stones that could be carved into statuettes or coffers. Smaller stones were typically cut cabochon and polished, often giving them a resemblance to ivory.
VARIETIES
Chalcedony took on a wide variety of colours, each with its own unique properties:
- Agate: the entire family of agates that spanned the rainbow
- Bloodstone: green-grey with red inclusions
- Carnelian: red to reddish-brown
- Chrysocolla: green to blue-green
- Chrysoprase: light apple-green
- Crown of silver: metallic silver with black bands
Chardalyn
Chrysoberyl
Chrysocolla
Chrysolite
Chrysoprase
Citrine
Cleiophane
A soft, transparent pale green semi-precious stone worth around 50 gp. Technically a form of sphalerite, which is also found in a yellow, orange, red, and dull brown. Cleiophane (sometimes misspelled as "clelophane") was a variety of sphalerite (also known as zincblende or blackjack) that often yielded large specimens of gemstone quality.
Sphalerite was a mineral that occurred in crystals of yellow, orange, red, and brown. Cleiophane was sphalerite with pale green "flash" that made beautiful, faceted semi-precious stones, often in unusually large sizes up to 3 inches (8 centimetres) across. Unfortunately, cleiophane was not hard enough to be used in jewellery that was subject to shock or wears.
This gemstone had the remarkable ability to capture a three-dimensional mental image of the bearer and his or her surroundings out to a spherical radius of ten feet (three meters). The cleiophane gem had to be touched, worn, or carried by the subject when a spell of any type was cast by or on the subject. When these conditions were met, it was likely that a new image of that moment either was added to other images stored in the gem or (more probably) replaced all previously stored images. This power was known as the "echo effect". Any images stored in a cleiophane gem could be recalled by simply grasping the stone and willing them to appear. The images were silent, still, and faintly luminescent for three minutes. They appeared in the space next to the gem, filling a ten-foot (three-meter) sphere with a properly lit, exact reproduction of the scene in which they were created. There was no limit on how many times the image or images could be recalled, and no known limit on how long the images remained in the gem.
Coral
Corstal
Corundum
Crown of silver
Cymophane
Datcha
Demontoid
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
Diamond
Diopside
A hard, dark gem worth around 100 gp per carat. Dioptase, also known as diopside, was a small semi-precious stone that had unusual healing properties. These deep emerald-green stones were typically found in small crystals that were riddled with flaws and only yielded tiny faceted gems. Because dioptase was soft and brittle, it found uses in items that were not expected to be subject to rough handlings, such as decorating figurines or fancy lace. Larger specimens were extremely rare and commanded higher prices.
Dioptase gems could be used to make a potion that acted similar to a potion of healing. They dissolved in any liquid that was actively enchanted with any spell. The process took about twenty minutes to complete, and the liquid had to stay enchanted for at least that amount of time. For every dioptase gem dissolved, the potion would restore a minimum amount of health to the creature that drank it.
Purple diopside is known as violane. The most valuable form of that mineral is star diopside, with green star diopside worth 100 gp or more.
Dioptase
Disthene
Emerald
Elemental Gem
Epidote
A common clear or red gemstone worth around 10 gp. Also found in a deep rose variety called piedmontite. Emerald was a brilliant green variety of beryl found in the Realms. These gems were notoriously fragile and needed to be protected from impacts and drastic temperature changes.
Emerald cleaved easily along orthogonal lines, making rectangular cuts (the "emerald" cut, known as a modified step cut in lapidary parlance) the most common form for this jewel. This included table facet (square) and baguette (long rectangular) cuts. Emerald came in many shades, but only the most transparent brilliant green shade merited the highest prices. A typical specimen had a base value of 5,000 gp. Emeralds with weak or tainted colouring were classified as gemstones with a base value of 1,000 gp.
Emeralds were associated with health and were used to create and decorate magical devices that improved health and healing, fertility, and growth. Whole cut emeralds served well as the tip of a wand or other devices that had health and growth effects. Crushed and powdered, emerald dust was used in the inks for scrolls and added to magical immersions for items intended for these same purposes. The best time of day to apply emeralds in magical workings was at waterclock (1:45 pm - 2:15 pm). Emeralds could be used to detect hidden treachery, hatred, and deceit without the use of magic. The stones would crack or break in the immediate presence of perfidy. Kings were known to wear rings carved out of emerald when attending important meetings, parleys, and critical negotiations.
Epidote
Epidote was a plentiful ornamental stone within the Realms. This stone's colour ranged from clear (in the smallest crystals) to dark red (in larger crystal deposits). One variety could be cut into large cabochons of a deep rose colour. Crushed epidote was used in the formula for potions of undead control and in making the ink for inscribing scrolls with protection from undead.
Essonite
Euclase
Eye agate
Fire agate
Fire opal
A translucent pale blue gem with green and golden mottling. Worth around 1,000 gp. Fire opal was a rare gemstone usually found near hot springs and geysers.
Fire opal was a brilliant orange-red form of opal that was usually solid in colour but could have golden or greenish flashes. A typical specimen had a base value of 1,000 gp. Rings with embedded tiny fire opal gems were typically valued at 500 gold pieces. They were the favoured gems to use in helms of brilliance. Their affinity for igniting, releasing, and controlling fire made them useful in formulating inks to inscribe scrolls, enchanting immersions for making items, and mounting on devices as a focal point of discharge.
Many sages believed that fire opals' glow was supernatural in nature and even that each gem held a tiny portal to the Elemental Plane of Fire. Scholars often debated this theory, who claimed that the glow was simply due to gems' light refraction.
Flamedance
Fluorite
Frost agate
Garnet
Goldline
A translucent gemstone, typically citrine, amethyst, or smoky quartz, was parallel golden goethite lines in it. Despite its wondrous appearance, large chunks are commonly found, and it is worth only around 10 gp. Also called cacoxenite. The name given to varieties of quartz with lines of gold-colored goethite (an impurity similar to iron oxide) embedded in the matrix. These quartz ornamental stones could be amethyst, citrine, or smoky quartz with bright yellow strands or tufts of goethite running through it in parallel lines. They were typically tumbled or cut cabochon. Specimens could be two to three inches (five to eight centimetres) in diameter. Sometimes large pieces were found, but these were often subject to breakage during transportation.
Goldline had a use in enchanting metal-bladed weapons. It was held in an open flame while the appropriate spells were cast, consuming the stone and giving a plain knife, sword, or dagger a small bonus. Fortunately, greenstones were relatively common and easy to obtain.
Greenstone
An opaque greyish-green form of pumpellyite native to Aetheus. It can be found in solidified lava flows. Also called chlorastrolite, or chlorastras, a gray-green variety of pumpellyite. These ornamental stones were soft and usually cut cabochon or tumbled and polished. High quality greenstones could take on a glassy finish and such stones were sometimes called chlorastras. Greenstones were found in solidified lava flows, in nodules of up to three quarters of an inch (two centimeters) in diameter. Huge specimens were made into greenstone amulets. Greenstones were plentiful and easy to work with, so many fraudulent amulets were created and enchanted with Nystul's magic aura. A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp.
Flawed stones and those too small to be useful were crushed to powder and used as a material component in casting abjuration-type spells that protected the mind. However, certain spells were ruined when this gem was added, making them completely ineffectual.
This gemstone was one of the "nine secrets"—minerals that could be enchanted to make an ioun stone.
Hambergyle
Heliodor
Hematite
An opaque grey-black semi-precious gemstone worth around 10 gp. It is reputed to aid warriors and heal wounds. When polished, hematite was a shiny grey-black stone. It was often tumbled to make beads or cut in a baguette fashion (rectangular with beveled sides).
Hematite was not magical itself, but it was responsive to enchantments related to blood and life force and was used in necromancy and the healing arts. Specifically, it was used to create magical periapts for healing and foul rotting.
Only a handful of people (mostly powerful mages that kept the secret to themselves) knew that this common stone was one of the "nine secrets"—minerals that could be enchanted to become ioun stones.
Hyacinth
Hyaline
Hyalite
Hydrophane
Hypersthene
A brown opaque semi-precious stone, sometimes tinted red or green and having silvery spangles. It is rarely found in large crystals, and as such, is only worth around 50 gp per stone. Hypersthene, also known as bronzite, was a gemstone usually cut cabochon. This semi-precious stone was brown and opaque (sometimes reddish or greenish) and contained silvery spangles. It was rare to find an unflawed piece larger than 1⁄2 in (13 mm) across, and as a result, the stone yielded small gemstones. Carrying or wearing one of these gemstones made the bearer undetectable by the wyvern watch spell. In common parlance, this property was known as wyvern warding.
Idicolite
Iolite
A gemstone worth around 50 gp. Often grey or bluish-violet. In the Aetheus, it is called "iol" or "violet stone". It changes its colour depending on the direction of sunlight. Also called cordierite in some worlds.
Iol, also known as violet stone, was the name by which iolite (cordierite) was commonly known in the Realms. This semi-precious stone was predominately blue in hue, but the stone's color changed with viewing angle, from dark blue to straw-yellow. Small specimens could be transparent but larger stones tended to have inclusions which could cause a star-like effect or, in the case of trapped hematite crystals, a flash of golden color much like sunstones. Iols were usually facet-cut to best display the stone's colour change.
Iol stones were the best component for use in making ioun stones. Legends said this gemstone had a strong affinity for magic, but few knew of its connection to ioun stones.
Irtios
A hard, transparent semi-precious stone that is sometimes tinted yellow. Worth around 50 gp. Called danburite in some worlds. Irtios was the common name for danburite in the Realms. It was found as natural crystals when mined from deep formations, or as tumbled stones in streambeds and among deposits of water-born gravel. This semi-precious stone was a hard gemstone that yielded faceted gems of middling size. Irtios crystals were pale yellow or colourless and either transparent or translucent.
Irtios crystals prevented mold, mildew, and rot from forming on all organic substances, living, dead, or undead, with which they were in continuous direct contact. These gemstones were often mounted on sword sheaths and wizard staves, for example.
Jacinth
Jade
Jargoon
Jasmal
Jasper
Jet
King's tears
A rare, transparent and extremely had gemstone native to the world of Aeheus, also known as "frozen tears" or "lich weepings". Legend has it that they are the crystallized tears of necromancer-kings, and visions of the past can be seen in them. They are worth around 5,000 gp.
These rare stones were transparent, colorless, teardrop-shaped with a smooth surface, and incredibly hard. No mundane means were known that could break, chip, cut, etch, fracture, or even scuff one of these jewels—they were always found in this perfect state.
Each specimen contained a sharply detailed, life-like image or scene that could be viewed by gazing deeply into the stone. Some contained an image of a person; some contained a panoramic view of a landscape or a battle in a place long forgotten or ravaged by time; and some held unfathomable dream-like scenes. What these images portrayed and what relationship they had with each other remained unknown, but sages fervently studied them.
Star elves were able to acquire a vast quantity of these gems and were able to use them to store information of their own. They were even able to put the gems into a device that would read the contents of the King's Tear back out loud. They created large libraries of information using these devices and their enemies, they were known to pay huge sums of money to acquire one of the gems in the hopes of finding secrets about the star elves.
The legend lore spell could take hours, days, or weeks to cast. Still, when cast in the presence (within 90 ft or 27 m) of a kings' tear, the casting time was reduced to 20 minutes, and the caster was mentally granted a word or a name that was a critical clue to the person, place, or thing that was being researched. Needless to say, kings' tears were valued by sages above all other gems.
A ritual known to only a handful of liches, archmages, and high priests, could be used to gain wisdom by sacrificing one of these jewels. Knowledge of this ritual was a closely guarded secret. If enchanted correctly, a kings' tear could be magically cut into one to four gems of insight.
Folklore suggested that these stones were the tears of long-dead necromancer kings and queens, crystallized to preserve the view of what they loved. Rumors also persisted that kings' tears were a part of creating a philosopher's stone and other powerful magic items.
Kornerupine
Kunzite
Laeral's Tears
Lapis lazuli
Luriyl
Lynx eye
Malachite
Malacon
Mellochrysos
Microcline
Moonbar
Moonstone
Morganite
A gem worth around 100 gp per carat.
Moss agate
A translucent pink or yellowish-white stone with mossy grey or green markings. Worth around 10 gp. Impurities of manganese formed greyish-green fern-like patterns that resembled moss embedded in these pink to yellow-white semi-transparent or translucent ornamental stones. Moss agate took a bright polish and was occasionally used for inlay work on coffers and other fine furniture. If the moss pattern formed a significant design, like an eye or a circle, this stone might be used in a ring or pendant in a polished cabochon.
Moss agate enhanced serenity and increased stability, so it was used in powdered form in sleeping draughts and in all manner of potions to assist the mixing of components that might otherwise clash. Its powers were such that it could be safely added to any potion, and even failed attempts did not explode or turn poisonous.
Mykaro
Mynteer
Nelvine
Nephrite
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
Nune
Obsidian
Octel
A soft, translucent yellow or orange gem native to Aetheus. It is worth around 100 gp. In other lands, it is known as scheelite. Jewellers sometimes marketed them as Savage Fire. This fancy stone occurred in hues ranging from pale yellow to orange and could be facet cut or sliced and polished for inlay work. Large but irregular specimens were mounted with silver as pendants. Octel was a soft stone but, when properly faceted, yielded beautiful, sparkling gems.
Octel gems could be permanently "awakened" by touching them to a ring of free action. Once awakened, their natural inner fire became a faint light source with a radius of about 2 ft (60 cm) in dark places. An awakened Octel prevented all magical paralyzation or held effects from operating on beings touching or carrying it.
Olivine
A common green mineral in Aetheus' subsurface, but weathers quickly on the surface. This gemstone is reputed to protect people from spells. It is named for its typically olive-green colour, though it can be altered to a reddish colour from the oxidation of iron. Translucent olivine is sometimes used as a gemstone called peridot, or chrysolite. It was considered a gemstone that could provide healing powers, curing Depression and opening the heart.
Ooline
Ooline, also known as Ool stones, was a variety of quartz in tiny egg-shaped spherules. These ornamental stones were usually solid brown in colour and were very similar to algae. Individual oolite spherules were about 1⁄16 in (1–2 mm) or less, which was too small to be cut. The aggregate stone was usually polished to bring out the colour and mounted in silver jewellery (particularly tiaras or pectorals) or used as eyes in sculpted figurines or create patterns on chased metals worth around 10 gp.
Powdered ool stones were a prized ingredient when casting spells that purified or neutralized and making the magic ink for scribing those same spells.
Onyx
Onyx was part of the agate family of ornamental stones but was considered a semi-precious stone found in pure black, pure white, or straight bands of both colours. An opaque black or white gemstone, or with bands of black and white. Worth around 50 gp. Onyx is used as a component of the spell animate dead. A folk belief claims that it causes discord between enemies.
This semi-precious stone was carved for jewellery and decorative housewares and was hard enough to wear well. It was often used for sculpting figurines (including the magic onyx dog). There were "nine secrets" that could be enchanted to become an Ioun stone, and onyx was one of them. Physical contact with onyx helped reduce complications and pain during childbirth. Wizards used onyx gems to animate the dead as zombies or other undead servants.
Onyx was a common stone among the Drow, a gem worn by drow of the average station, albeit they used only black ones. Unenchanted onyx was believed to cause bad luck when worn or carried.
Ophealine
Ophealine or more commonly known as glass stone was the name for axinite. A hard, translucent brown gemstone is native to the Forgotten Realms, where it was traditionally mounted on rings and gained the name "knuckle stones". Worth around 10 gp. Also known as axinite or glass stone. Its violet variety is known as yanolite. Ophealine occurred in large crystals that yielded faceted gemstones of impressive size and were hard enough to be used in jewellery, especially rings that were subject to the wear and tear of everyday use. The typical brown hue was so intense that bigger crystals looked opaque. Unfortunately, Brown was not in great demand as a gemstone colour, but glass stone found its way into rings because it could hold a sharp edge and survive a good bar fight.
Ophealine had an anti-magic quality such that it could not be used as a material component in any spell, potion, ink or other magical preparation—the magic always failed. When worn as an ornament, ophealine prevented hold person spells and all manner of magical paralyzing effects from being effective.
Orbaline
A softer translucent blue gem found in small sizes, worth around 500 gp. Also called benitoite. Orbaline crystals were relatively soft and usually found in fragments rather than whole crystals. The most common use for orbaline was as an inlay for coffers, ornamental boxes, and statuettes. When a specimen was large enough to cut, these yielded blue to colourless faceted gems.
Orbaline, when inlaid or mounted on an object, greatly increased that object's resistance to magical fire and conferred almost as much benefit against normal fire. This only affected inanimate objects; living creatures and undead could not gain this boon.
Orblen
A rare golden gem, also called "honeystone", due to its rich colour and highly prized, is worth around 1,000 gp. The largest known Orblenn was 6 inches (15cm). Although rare, orblen occurred in massive deposits that yielded large gems that could be cut cabochon or faceted. Its nickname came from the deep, lustrous gold hue that resembled honey.
Honeystone had two very different responses to magic cast upon it. If any healing spell was cast into the stone, it produced a golden glow that warmed and illuminated everything in a 60 ft (18.3 m) radius that lasted for two hours. Beings touched by this radiance were immediately granted the benefits of a potion of vitality. Anyone who remained within the glow for a full, continuous hour received healing on the order of an extra-potent cure light wounds. However, if a spell from the invocation/evocation school or the combat sphere of divine magic was cast upon an orblen, it detonated in a short-range, triple meteor swarm—a dozen 2 ft (61 cm) balls of flame, equally spaced around the centre as points on a compass, out to a distance of 20 ft (6.1 m)—with devastating effect. Due to overlapping spheres in the confined space, anyone or anything near the orblen when it exploded was likely to be hit by multiple meteors.
Orl
Orl is a red or orange gemstone is native to the Aetheus, found in the very soft rock inside 'blue caves, believed to be exclusive to the northern half of Aetheus, worth around 1,000 gp. Orls occurred as long, symmetric, sharp-edged crystals and ranged in colour from a dark, tawny yellow to orange to red. They were usually cut into faceted gems, but some enthusiasts preferred to wear the natural crystals in a claw mount, for example. Red-hued orls commanded the highest price. It was considered a prized gem among the drow.
Orprase
A brittle, transparent gemstone worth around 50 gp. Also called pollucite. Orprase was a medium-hard, brittle stone that was either colourless or faintly straw-yellow and found transparent in otherwise uninteresting opaque rock samples. The stone could be facet-cut into small to medium-sized gems.
These gems were eagerly sought by followers of Maevericki and those that knew their secret. One orprase stone, powdered and mixed into at least 3 oz (90 ml) of wine that had been consecrated to Maevericki by a full-fledged priest of that faith, granted extraordinary good luck at resisting one attack or at performing one skill. The benefit occurred on the very next occasion after imbibing the potion, regardless of how long ago it was consumed.
Pearl
Pearls were not mined, they were the product of oysters or other molluscs, but they were treated like gemstones—an opaque lustrous white sphere formed by aquatic creatures. Sometimes yellow or pink, sometimes gold or silver. Worth around 100 gp. Irregular freshwater pearls are worth only around 10 gp.
Pearls were formed of layers of tchazar (aragonite) around a bit of grit or other irritants, growing inside a mollusc over the span of a few years. This slow process gave pearls a smooth surface with a deep, rich lustre. Pearls were predominantly white but did occur in other colours such as gold, pink, or silver; rainbow and black being the rarest and valuable. The unique brilliant green pearls of the emerald oyster were valued at 500 gold pieces and above.
Over-sized pearls 3 inches (0.076 meters) were frequently flawed in some way and not as valuable. One exception to this was a perfect head-sized pearl that was enchanted to become a crystal ball. A typical pearl has a base value of 100 gp to 500 gp, depending on market value.
- Pearls were used as a material component in many spells, particularly those that reduced acids to plain water and neutralize poison. Crushed to a powder, pearls were used in creating all types of magic mirrors. Well-known magical items included the pearl of power, the pearl of the sirines and the pearl of wisdom.
- Pearls were used to create periapts of wisdom, common magical amulets often found in the possession of high-ranking clergy.
Peridot
Peridot was the gem-quality version of olivine which occurred in volcanic basalts or with other quartz deposits. A transparent rich olive-green gemstone worth around 500 gp. It is reputed to ward off enchantments. These gemstones were found in shades of light to dark olive green and were usually facet cut. Peridots were frequently used as a material component for abjuration spells and in constructing magic items that offered protection against spells and enchantments, such as Mordenkainen's private sanctum. Depending on market demand, a typical specimen had a base value of 500 gp or 50 to 100 gp.
Phenalope
Pyrope
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
Quartz
Rock crystal was another name for colourless, transparent quartz—a transparent white, grey or yellow gemstone. More valuable than its common blue counterpart, it is worth around 50 gp. This clear semi-precious stone was considered lower grade if soft or brittle but was frequently used to adorn furniture or decorative headgear. High-grade samples free from impurities were used for optics, eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, and prisms.
When a spell required an unspecified gem of a certain value, rock crystals were generally used. A process could turn several rock crystals into a molten glass-like state that allowed it to be worked into weapons and other implements. The rock crystal was hard enough for mace heads, spearheads, ram heads, or even climbing spikes when it cooled. The process required three spells, two of which were minor but kept secret, and Veladar's vambrace.
Raindrop
Raindrop is the name given to the purest form of cassiterite, specifically to flawless, colourless crystals or colourless areas inside larger, dark brown cassiterite crystals. A hard, flawless, colourless transparent form of cassiterite. Worth around 400 gp, although the brown form of the gemstone is less valuable. In Aetheus, it is typically fashioned into polished teardrop shapes used to adorn cloaks. In their most prized form, these stones were clear, hard, and durable, suitable for small faceted gems, or they took a velvety smooth polish. Often they would be cut and polished into a teardrop shape and, when placed on cloaks and other garments, resembled raindrops, which gave them their popular name. The coloured part of the stone was much less valuable and known as woodtine. This gemstone and its woodtine form could be used as "residual magic" detectors, more sensitive than detect magic and other similar spells. When either variety was brought into contact with another gem, stone, or metal, it would darken in colour if that item had been previously enchanted and had since released its magical energies. The colour change was temporary and repeatable.
Red Tears
A red bright-red teardrop-shaped gemstone unique to Aetheus, worth around 1,000 gp. They were gemstones found only in the Realms in deep mines or anywhere old stone had been exposed by erosion, mining, or rockfall. Red tears were teardrop-shaped crystals with a glossy surface, vividly coloured fiery orange, cherry red, or blood crimson. Legends say they were the tears of lovers left behind after their sweethearts perished in battle, stained by the blood of the fallen. These gemstones served as a substitute for all material components used in any healing spell that didn't require specific construction. The powdered red tear was an ingredient for making the magic ink for creating scrolls of spells that mended broken objects.
Rhodochrosite
An opaque light pink stone worth around 10 gp. Rhodochrosite, also known as rosenstone, was most often used in rings and pendants. These ornamental stones were various shades of pink and translucent with a glossy sheen. They could be tumbled and polished for jewellery. A quantity of rosenstone about the size of an eyeball could be crushed into a powder and brewed with a special tea. A being that had been poisoned or diseased could consume a pot of this tea for a chance at neutralize poison or cure the disease effect.
Rhodolite
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat.
Rhodonite
A translucent pink gem worth around 50 to 75 gp per carat. Called phenalope in Aetheus, where it is typically worth 50 gp.
Rosaline
A translucent pink gemstone traded in large quantities in the Aetheus, typically worth around 10 gp and found in large quantities of soft stone (usually cut in 1 lb/ 2.2kg blocks for trading) in small hard crystals. Also known as unionite, thulite, or pink zoisite. When found in purple, it is known as purple rosaline. The colour shifts on the angle of light, appearing purple, red, and blue or green.
The opaque pink variety of this ornamental stone was relatively soft. It could be tumbled or cut cabochon, while the harder crystal form could be faceted by a lapidarist and exhibited trichroism: three colours in the gem, each viewed from a different angle. The three colours were purple, red, and either blue or green for the third colour. A typical soft pink stone had a base value of 10 gp, whereas the trichroic crystal variety had a base price of 50 gp.
Some tri-coloured rosaline crystals with the proper mix of colours had the property of negating one colour of any prismatic spell. A correctly attuned crystal would vanish when the creature carrying or wearing it came in contact with the first colour layer of the prismatic spell effect, collapsing the layer with no harm to the creature. Negating the next layer required another crystal, and so on. Unfortunately, there was no known way to identify rosaline crystals that exhibited this property beforehand.
Rubellite
A gem worth around 100 gp per carat.
Ruby
A transparent clear red gemstone worth around 5,000 gp. It is reputed to bring good luck. Ruby was a variety of corundum that was a popular and plentiful jewel and had many magical uses and its appeal as a sparkling gemstone. Rubies came in a variety of colours, from colourless through shades of red to deep crimson. The darker the shade and the fewer the inclusions and impurities, the more valuable was the gem.
Superstitions around Aetheus held that rubies bestowed good luck on their owners, but magical uses were more reliable. Crushed to a powder and used in the enchantment, rubies greatly enhanced personal magic items that increased skill, ability, resistance, or luck. Ruby powder was also used to create the magic ink for scribing divine spells of the elemental and sun spheres and arcane spells of the abjuration, alteration, or evocation schools. The best time of day to use powdered ruby was "the time of the summer sunset."
Facet cut and polished rubies were required to craft a helm of brilliance and were the gem of choice in decorating items that produced healing magic. With the proper incantations, rubies could ward against natural and magical lightning and earthquakes. Extremely rarely, a ruby might contain a creature that could be released from the stone by delicately shattering it. Such creatures were usually unknown in Aetheus and grew rapidly upon release.
A crushed ruby worth at least 1,000 gp was required to cast the mighty necromantic spell Soul Shift.
Rubies were one of the preferred gems for the psionic circuitry in the inventions of the Creative Creed.
Supposedly, powdered ruby was an ingredient in the vision-granting deep gnomish wine Gogondy.
Rusteen
Otherwise known as Microlite. A durable reddish-brown or pale brown gemstone. Small stones are worth 400 gp and are often used to adorn weapons. Rusteen occurred in shades of brown from pale to dark reddish-brown. They were small but tough and could be cut into faceted gems and decorate swords, armour, shields, and horse tack.
This precious stone could be used as a material component for force cage and wall of force spells.
Saganite
An opaque form of chalcedony, often found in ivory or yellow, with inclusions of brown or greenish-black, often arranged in a star pattern. Worth around 10 gp. In Aetheus, where fist-sized chunks are commonly traded, the gem is also called needle stone, love stone, or hairstone.
Saganite was usually a bone-white to the yellow stone with contrasting brown or greenish-black needles. The needles most often radiated from a central point like a star. Large samples were common, and it was often traded as "a fist of saganite" in the marketplaces of Ankh'hera.
When added to the material component of any spell that produced explosions or bursts of fire, this stone increased the power of the detonation or flame by a small amount.
Samarskite
A hard, heavy black gem native to Aetheus. It is worth around 50 gp. Samarskite was a semi-precious gem used for mourning jewellery or to adorn black ceremonial dresses. Samarskite was a rare-earth mineral, hard and dense, with a velvet-black metallic lustre, usually cut cabochon. One or more samarskite gems, carried or worn on the body, was known to protect against the undead by reducing the severity of their attacks by a small amount.
Sanidine
An opaque pale yellow gemstone found in deserts, worth around 10 gp. Sanidine was an ornamental stone found on the surface of dunes and gravel screes. Sanidine was favoured by the nomadic, desert-dwelling Mekrodemzai and facet-cut to ring-stone size or smaller. Sanidine was a pale tan to the straw yellow form of feldspar. Large specimens (about thumb-sized or bigger) could be used to replace all but specially constructed spell components in the casting of spells related to water or purification.
Sarbossa
A translucent greyish-green gem of volcanic origin, worth around 10 gp. Also called thomsonite, lintonite, comptonite, ozakite, eye stone, or fire rock. It occurred in small nodules up to 1 in (2.5 cm) diameter left behind in cavities formed by volcanic activity.
This ornamental stone was fibrous and, therefore, both tough and soft. It was usually greyish-green in colour but was sometimes beautifully coloured with rings of pink, red, white, and green.
Adding sarbossa to the material component of spells that morphed the shape of a target object or creature added one to two minutes to the spell's duration.
Sardonyx
Sardonyx was a variety of banded onyx. An opaque red-and-white banded gemstone. Worth around 50 gp. Sardonyx was characterized by alternating stripes of carnelian (also known as sard) and white onyx. These semi-precious stones were usually cut cabochon to show off the banded pattern but were also used in cameo work.
Sardonyx had many uses in magical Art. It was used as a spell component and in creating magic items that affected wisdom. It was reported to have the same properties as the much rarer king's tears, except it was not indestructible. And it was one of the "nine secrets" (gemstones that could become Ioun stones if enchanted properly). Wearing or carrying sardonyx could also absorb minimal damage from a magic missile, but this was a random occurrence and thus not very reliable.
Satin spar
Soft, sparkling gypsum, called feather gypsum, in white or pale colours like pink, orange or brown. Easy to work and often used in crafting. Worth around 10 gp. It was mainly used in carvings. This ornamental stone was too soft for jewellery but accepted a good polish. Satin spar was naturally white, pink, pale orange, or pale brown but could be dyed to almost any solid hue (this process ruined its sparkle, however). These stones could partially protect against magic missiles if worn, carried or touched at the time of missile impact. One satin spar could absorb one half the damage of one magic missile, vaporizing in the process.
Scapra
A soft yellow gemstone native to Aetheus was the term for gem-quality scapolite stones. Scapras are worth around 100 gp. Usually, rough crystal scapras were found in pale to medium yellow hues. This stone could be easily worked even by the unskilled and could be facet cut, but it was too soft for everyday wear in rings or clothing. This stone could be added to the material component of the guards and wards spell and enhanced its effects but was consumed in the casting. Specifically, each scapra added allowed one additional magical effect (dancing lights, magic mouth, stinking cloud, gust of wind, or suggestion) or a phantasmal force. Up to five scapras could be used, granting a total of five additional effects.
Serpentine
A translucent, semi-precious stone often found in vivid green and worth around 50 gp. It is reputed to improve the bearer's cunning. Serpentine was the name given to a family of related materials that included williamsite, ricolite, verde antique, picrolite, taxoite, bowenite, and sometimes referred to as "poor man's jade". Top-quality samples of williamsite were classified as semi-precious stones, and all other varieties were treated as hardstones sold under the name serpentine stone.
(Serpentine Stone) This greenish material was found in large deposits and could cut be into thin slabs for ornamental screening, used as an inlay or as ornamental surfacing. A typical price was 3gp per pound (6.6 gp/kg). It was used for carving, furniture inlays, and building facing. It was also known as Verde Antique.
(Serpentine Stone) This stone was used in the creation of the figurine of wondrous power known as the serpentine owl. Certain varieties of this mineral shared the same protective properties as the gem-quality serpentine, i.e., it granted a one-time boon of resist fire and a resist the cold spell, disintegrating to dust after reacting to one each of extreme cold and extreme heat. Only skilled jewellers, miners, and spellcasters with experience working with this stone could determine if a particular sample had this magical property or not.
Gem quality serpentine was translucent with an intense green colour and could be facet cut or made into cabochons to decorate weapons, armour, and barding or mounted in rings, pendants, and jewellery of all types.
Carrying, wearing, or being in contact with a gemstone of this type (Williamite) could confer the equivalent of a resist cold and a resist fire to that individual. If more than one serpentine gem was present, only one stone activated per exposure to extreme heat or cold at a time. Each gem could protect against one cold effect and one heat effect before crumbling to useless dust.
Shandon
A tiny transparent gem is native to Aetheus. Also known as natrolite. This mineral was found in thin crystals that produced tiny faceted gems often used to adorn clothing. Using many Shandon, a skilled clothier could weave them into a veil or a robe, giving it a sheen like beads of water on a spider's web. Because of their size and lack of colour, the top price was most likely to be had from those gem cutters and dealers familiar with their artistic value. Worth around 100 gp.
If an item of clothing had at least seven Shandon gems attached to it, then one of the gems could be enchanted with the ironguard spell, which gave the garment a permanent ironguard effect that protected the parts of the body covered by the magic apparel. Like the spell, any poisons on the non-magical metal could still be introduced into the body, but no harm would come from metal passing through the garment or the body parts protected by it. The spell effect was cancelled if the enchanted gem was crushed, shattered, or separated from the garment.
Sharpstone
Coloured quartz found in Aetheus, worth around 10 gp. Also called novaculite. This stone was usually gritty, and its major use was for sharpening. Occasionally the grit was fine enough to make large cabochon ornamental stones. Sharpstone's hardness made it difficult to polish to full lustre. This stone could be used to increase the area of effect of a spell with a corresponding decrease in damage (or duration of the spell did not have a damage effect). Any size or amount of sharp stone could be used and was consumed in the casting.
Silkstone
Sparkling quartz worth 10 gp. A fibrous variety of quartz similar to the tiger eye. This ornamental stone was found in many colours, yellow being the most common, and was cut cabochon, tumbled, or used for engravings, such as seals for merchants and nobles. It exhibited faint highlights when the light hit at certain angles. Like Tiger Eye, silkstone was worn as a protection from spirits, though this was more old wives' tales than fact. However, shadows were known to hesitate briefly when encountering someone with a silkstone, perhaps giving them time to flee. This property also made powdered silkstone a viable substitute component when casting spells related to life-energy drain and restoring those effects. It was also used in the creation of magical inks needed to make scrolls of those spells.
Sinhalite
A rare yellow stone. Gems around an inch across are worth 100 gp—a rare find in streambed gravel, both active streams and ancient, dried-up riverbeds. When polished cabochon or cut, these fancy stones were called Sinhalas; in natural form, these crystals were rounded pebbles, tumbled and smoothed by water action. They were yellow-brown to pale stray-yellow and yielded gemstones up to 1 in (2.5 centimetres) in diameter. A Sinhala could prevent magical Darkness in a 20ft (6.1m) radius around the stone.
Skydrop
A translucent meteoric glass worth around 50 gp. A common name was given to tektite material; fragments of glass of meteoric origin found in the shifting dunes of Vashara and other deserts. Skydrop stones were usually clear to be lightly shaded with a glassy lustre. These stones were left uncut and merely polished and mounted in a claw setting as earrings and pendants. A creature touching, wearing, or carrying a skydrop gemstone was immune to petrification.
Spessartite
A gem worth around 125 gp per carat. Occurring often in granite, always occurring as a blend of well-formed crystals, varying in colour from very dark red to bright yellow-orange.
Sphene
A soft, transparent yellow or green gem native to Aetheus. Sphene was a precious tone that came in many colours, and like Scarpa, was easily worked by unskilled cutters. It is sacred to the dwarven mother goddess Berronar Truesilver, whose followers believe them to be her solidified tears. Worth around 500 gp, with the emerald-like green gems, most highly valued. Spherne was a soft, brittle gemstone that came in yellow to deep green with fine emerald green as the most prized hue. Sphene crystals could be cut into beautiful, sparkling, faceted gems of small to medium size. Wearers of this stone may not have known it, but they were much less likely to be hit by lightning or lightning-like spells or effects. And if they were struck, the damage not as bad as it might have been.
Spinel
A transparent red, red-brown, or deep green gem worth around 100 gp. The Red Spinels were said to come from the southern desert country, while Blue Spinels came from the East, and the rare green spinels came from the Dredjericho Jungles. All types were transparent or translucent and durable. A typical blue specimen had a base value of 500 gp, while the red to green shades were valued at around 100 gp. If a spinel was crushed in a particular way and then ingested, a spellcasting creature could instantly remember (and recast) the last spell cast. Spinel was a common stone among the Drow, a gem worn by Drow of the average station, albeit they only used deep blue.
Star Rose Quartz
A translucent smoky rosy-pink stone with a white, star-shaped centre. Worth around 50 gp, about the same as transparent quartz. It was used as a centrepiece in modest jewellery, like pectorals and earrings, worn mainly by the matrons of long-established houses.
While carrying or wearing one of these stones, the star rose quartz had a chance to deflect a spell directed at the bearer. Because of this property, this semi-precious stone was an alternate spell component for all abjuration spells and any divine magic of the protection sphere that could use a material component that wasn't specially prepared for a particular spell.
Star Ruby
Star Ruby was a rare form of red corundum that exhibited asterism (a reflective optical effect that highlighted a white six-pointed star on the surface of cabochon-cut stones). A translucent red gem with a white star-shaped centre. They were more opaque than regular gem-quality rubies. Other stars with even-numbered points were also possible. About one out of every one hundred rubies was a star ruby. Worth around 1,000 gp, less valuable than a pure ruby.
Star rubies shared all the properties of plain rubies plus some very unique healing abilities. This jewel could be used to create a superlative healing vapour that, when inhaled it delivered the combined effects of:
- elixir of health (cured blindness, deafness, poisoning, infestation, rot, and mental disorders)
- heal (restored full health)
- regenerate (began regrowing lost body parts)
Star Sapphire
Star Sapphire was a scarce form of sapphire that exhibited asterism (a reflective optical effect highlighting a white six-pointed star-shaped concentration of reflected or refracted light from a gemstone). A translucent blue gem with a white star-shaped centre - but were more opaque than regular quality sapphires. About 1 in 1000 sapphires was a star sapphire. Worth between 1,000-5,000 gp, although a single star sapphire the size of a fist exists in the hoard of a dracolich with a value of 12,000 gp. Black star sapphire is worth around the same as the blue variety. It is reputed to protect the bearer from magic.
They were often used to make and decorate devices and objects to ward off hostile magic, such as Globes of Invulnerability, allowing them to be effective against stronger spells. Many spells could be enhanced by adding a star sapphire to the material component. For example, the duration of an antimagic shell could be extended for more than two hours beyond the usual time limit.
They were considered prized gems among the Drow. They considered it somewhat of a lucky charm for those who could use magic and a very bold choice for others. Old priestesses particularly used it.
Sunstone
Sunstone was a soft, opaque feldspar gemstone with bright red or orange sparkles, worth around 10 gp. Related to the moonstone. Technically a type of oligoclase. The most common variety of this ornamental stone was soft and could only be cut cabochon. Still, it did occur in a colourless or slightly greenish variety that was facet grade. Cabochons of sunstone were rarely more than 3/4's of an inch (2 cm) in diameter. They had glittering red or orange inclusions suspended in a nearly colourless matrix, giving the overall stone a warm golden or reddish-brown hew.
Sunstones could be made into talismans, usually, in the form of jewellery, that acted on the undead just like full sunlight. A sunstone talisman had to be charged by being left in full sun for at least one day (about six hours of continuous exposure). Thereafter, the talisman could be worn and would remain dormant until the wearer was successfully attacked (physically touched) by an undead creature. If the undead attacker were affected by sunlight, it would:
- - Recoil in fear or pain for a few minutes
- - Be easier to hit as it turned away from the talisman
- - Be unable to use abilities such as regeneration, energy drain, chilling touch, etc.
Tabasheer
Tabasheer was opal-like silica found in the joints of certain types of bamboo. They were found in irregular nuggets that were usually tumbled smooth and then polished to a velvety sheen. They were worn in rings and decorated the fringes of shawls and pectorals. This gemstone was also used as currency in trade deals, particularly when bartering with barbarian tribes. This semi-precious stone is worth around 50 gp.
When ground to a powder and place on the tongue or in an open wound, tabasheer had a remarkable effect on the subject when Cure Light Wounds was cast upon it: the recipient of this treatment gained a temporary health boost that lasted for 24 hours or until the health was lost due to subsequent injury, poison or illness.
Tanzanite
A solid colour when seen at different angles of blue, violet and burgundy. Its colours were more evident when subjected to fluorescent light, and the violet hues can be seen more readily when viewed under incandescent illumination. In its rough state, tanzanite has coloured a reddish-brown to clear colour and requires heat treatment to remove the brownish 'veil' and bring out the blue-violet of the stone—Gem worth around 150 gp. Rarer blue tanzanite is worth slightly more than the more common variety, around 175 gp per carat.
Tchazar
Argonite, which occurred in long prism-shaped crystals that were straw-yellow and very fragile. A lapidarist o great skill was required to cut faceted gems from this semi-precious stone. Cabochon-cut tchazar was much less valuable (treated as an ornamental stone). It was known to be a soft, translucent yellow gemstone. Worth around 10 gp unless cut into a faceted gem, which is difficult due to its fragility and softness, but worth 50 gp.
This gemstone was important to those who feared magical scrying because tchazar interfered with scrying devices and spells, rendering anything within 2ft (60 cm) of a tchazar stone blurry and indistinguishable. The effect was the same regardless of how the tchazar was cut (cabochon, faceted, or natural crystal), so it was used to adorn many personal items and locations where privacy was of utmost importance. This magical smoke screen effect was lost if the tchazar stone was shattered.
Thuparlial
Thuparlial, also known as prehnite, was found in hardened lava as a lining to gas cavities in the rock, but rarely was this lining thick enough or an attractive colour to warrant cutting it into gemstones. A hard, transparent green, greenish-yellow or brown gemstone of volcanic origin, also known as prehnite. Worth around 10 gp. Thuparlial was a hard, resilient, and translucent gemstone which varied in colour from deep green through pale greenish-yellow and from yellow to brown. Thuparlial was cut in facets if light-coloured but otherwise made into cabochons.
Powdered, this mineral was used in inks for creating the pyrotechnics and heat metal spells. Red wizards who had access to large quantities of thuparlial experimented with using it as a substitute ingredient for many fire- and heat-based spells. It was unknown if they succeeded.
Tiger Eye
Tiger Eye Agate, also known as Tiger's Eye, was a member of the agate family. This was a translucent brown striped gemstone with a golden-hued centre. It exhibited a silky lustre called chatoyancy. This ornamental stone was named for its colour and its stripes. Worth around 10 gp. Also known as binghamite.
Legends about this mineral said that it repelled undead and restless spirits but had never been proven to be true. Regardless of the lack of evidence, the legend generated a demand for tiger eyes to be powdered and used in inks to mark caskets, sarcophagi, and tombs to prevent the dead from rising and as an ingredient in Potions of Undead Control.
Tomb Jade
Tomb Jade was the name for jade buried for centuries and turned from green to red or brown. Tomb jade was rare and commanded a high price in the Realms. Normal jade was considered a fancy stone, but after being mined and possibly worked, then buried for great lengths of time, it changed colour and was worth ten times as much. A typical specimen had a base value of 1,000 gp. Note that jade turned green if buried with items made of bronze which rendered it equivalent in value to normal jade.
Powdered tomb jade was an ingredient in potions of undead control. It could also be used as a talisman for turning undead, granting a priest a second chance to turn an undead creature after a failed attempt.
Topaz
Topaz was a precious stone that occurred in granite deposits, sometimes yielding large, gem-quality crystals. A transparent golden yellow gemstone worth around 500 gp. The topaz dragon is named for this gemstone. It is reputed to ward off evil spells. It was a tough, clear gemstone that was usually golden yellow but could be found in shades from yellow to brown. Topaz turned pink or light blue if subjected to high temperatures. A typical specimen has a base value of 500 gp. These crystals were known to reach impressive sizes; some gems could reach up to several hundred pounds.
The bigger sized gems were a customary gift on state occasions. For such events, topazes were worked only by the most skilled master gem cutters.
They were often used to create items that conferred protection from magical effects because this stone protected the item itself from trauma due to force, acid, fire, certification and disintegration. It was the preferred component when making a Gem of Brightness because Topaz took on the hardness of mithral when so enchanted.
Topaz gems naturally stored healing magic. By casting a healing spell on this gemstone, the topaz could be placed into an open wound where it would release its stored magic and dissipate completely, or it could be powdered wand mixed with milk or wine in a mithral vessel (any other substance leeched the magic out of the mixture before it could be consumed). A topaz healing taught tasted cold and sour.
Topaz was sometimes called the jewel of light because it could extend the duration of faerie fire spells cast upon it for a few days to nearly a month. This versatile gem was also used in the explosive druid spell Sol's Searing Orb.
They were also used to create masterfully crafted bands by dwarves, inlaying them with multiple shimmering topaz gems, enchanted so that the ring increased a wearer's defence, much like a Ring of Protection.
Tourmaline
A long-crystallised mineral that came in many colours. The more common being pale shades of blue, brown, gold, green, pink, red and silver pearl. White or colourless tourmaline was called waterstar. If multiple colours occurred in the same crystal, it was known as rainbow tourmaline and was priced in the higher precious stone range. Black tourmaline was called ravenar and was considered a gemstone. A typical monochromatic specimen had a base value of 100 gp. Tourmaline as a transparent pale green, blue, brown or red gem was worth around 100 gp. Red tourmaline is worth slightly more than other colours, averaging 125 gp per carat.
All Tourmaline could absorb any spell cast upon it and immediately convert it into three lightning bolts that blasted outward in straight lines from the crystal facets in directions chosen by the caster. This act consumed the gem in the process.
Ravenar, also called Schorl, is a rare black variety of tourmaline native to Aetheus, worth around 1,000 gp and often inlaid in daggers and the like. It occurred in long crystals like other varieties of tourmaline and was a solid gloss black. Commonly used for inlay work on weapons and accoutrements. They were considered prize gems among the Drow, and their deity was known to occasionally send ravenars to show his favour and disfavour to their followers.
Tremair
A tiny translucent pink gem worth around 100 gp. Also called hexagonite, and technically a variety of tremolite. In raw ore, tremair was found as small, pink, clear to translucent crystals. These could be cut into smaller faceted gems. These small gemstones were sewn or woven into gowns that debutantes wore at social occasions, signifying eligibility for marriage.
If worn next to the skin, tremair gems bestowed an immunity to magical curses on the wearer.
Turquoise
An opaque turquoise gemstone worth around 10 gp. It is reputed to aid horses. Typically found in more arid locations around Aetheus. This ornamental stone was an opaque blue to greenish-blue and usually occurred with blotches of darker hues in the mix.
Elves valued the pure colour stones (without the darker mottling) for casting sky-related magic, and mages used turquoise to create items related to flight. It was used as a good luck charm by horsemen who put turquoise in their horse's harnesses to ward off misstep or trail hazards. Turquoise had a slight gleam when it came near gold and therefore was associated with prosperity. Foredawn (4:45 am-5:15 am)was the best time of day to apply an immersion containing turquoise.
Ulvaen
A soft translucent yellow gem highly prized in Aetheus, where it is worth around 100 gp. Easy to work, it is also known as amblygonite. It was a soft but shatter-resistant fancy stone. This gem occurred in pale to deep yellow hues and was easily worked into large cabochons or faceted gems popular in jewellery, even by the unskilled.
It was prized for its healing and regenerative properties. If placed in a wound, a ulvaen crystal would melt away in a matter of minutes and deliver its healing magic. How much healing was completely random for any given stone. As the healing magic suffused the wound, it would first attempt to stop any bleeding. If that succeeded, then damaged organs had a chance to be restored. If that succeeded, then any open wounds might close. And finally, if all previous healing attempts were successful, there was a chance for an improvement in overall health, similar to cure wounds. Regardless of when the healing magic ran out, some modest health benefit was gained. If the injury was internal, the ulvaen was placed on the victim's tongue until it resolved. This gemstone could heal humans, demihumans, and other humanoids.
Variscite
A translucent pale green stone that occasionally had rings or bands when cut. Worth around 10 gp. Also called lucinite or peganite in some worlds. It was an ornamental stone found in nodules or rock seams. It was translucent and came in deep to pale shades of yellowish-green. When cutting cabochon and polished, they occasionally displayed grey and yellow bands or rings ("eyes").
Variscite was poisonous to lycanthropes and, if delivered into the bloodstream on the weapon's tip, caused triple the normal damage for that strike. Once a lycanthrope was infected with variscite, further exposure did no additional harm until the subject recovered - a process that took a full 24 hours. The infection could be accomplished if a variscite stone, say mounted in a ring, or other jewellery were pressed into an open wound on a lycanthrope or touched the creature's tongue.
Viridian Crystals
Viridian crystals, colloquially known as fool's emeralds, were found in the Underdark and underground locations. Viridian crystals were known for being hard to work with because of their brittleness. Its crystalline form was sharp-edged. They were worth 75 gp. Even though sometimes used for decoration and crafting, fool's emeralds had some alchemical properties.
Water opal
A transparent opal with a play of flashing colour, worth around 1,000 gp. A rare and valuable gemstone. Favoured by water or sea deities. Opals without any colour were considered plain hyalite, an inferior stone, and near worthless. Water opal was rare and highly prized for use in decorating mirrors and windows and creating scrying devices such as crystal balls.
An elixir of health could be made without any spellcasting by grinding a water opal into powder and mixing it with holy water.
Waterstar
A rare sparkling transparent gemstone worth 200 gp when free of inclusions. Also known as achroite or colourless tourmaline. Gem-quality stones had to be flawless and could yield large faceted jewels that sparkled. Waterstar, like all tourmalines, could absorb any spell cast upon it and immediately convert it into three lightning bolts that blasted outward from the crystal facets. This act consumed the gem in the process.
White opal
A white gemstone worth around 1,000 gp.
Witherite
A translucent yellow or white semi-precious stone worth around 50 gp. They were found in large, fibrous deposits containing zones of translucent gem-quality material. If large enough, they yielded faceted pale yellow to whitish gems. Rarely, witherite occurred in clusters of translucent yellowish crystals, which also yielded faceted gemstones.
Witherite offered some protection or immunity to the withering effects of necromantic reversed spells and certain psionic attacks. The stone had to be mounted in a special electrum setting that allowing direct skin contact with the witherite. This was known to work for at least humans and demihumans.
Wonderstone
An opaque form of rhyolite with red, brown, tan, or purple bands, worth around 10 gp. These ornamental stones were found in large deposits and could've been cut into blocks of almost a cubic foot (27000 cubic centimetres) in size when quarried. It was typically cut cabochon and took a fair to good polish.
When wonderstone came into direct contact with a magical item, an enchanted being, or an ordinary item that bore an enchantment, it emitted a royal blue or strange blue-green glow for up to twenty minutes. Thus it was seen by some use as a magic detector, but more often, it was put to mundane use as an inlay in fine furniture and panelling to provide novel mood lighting for light-hearted social events like balls, feasts and parties.
Woodtine
An opaque brownish stone of casserite, worth around 10 gp. This brownish and fibrous ornamental stone was found in large nodules and was cut cabochon. The name of this stone was a corruption o the odd term "wood tin", applied colloquially to this gemstone. They could be used as a 'residual magic detector', more sensitive than detect magic and other similar spells. When woodtine was brought into contact with another gem, stone, or metal, it would darken in colour if that item had been previously enchanted and had since released its magical energies. The colour change was temporary and repeatable.
Yellow sapphire
A transparent yellow-green or fiery yellow gemstone worth around 1,000 gp.
Zarbrina
An extremely soft, brilliant, transparent gemstone. Cerussite was an extremely soft-leak like mineral, colourless and easily cut. Worth only 10 gp due to its extreme softness, which makes it impractical for most jewellery. Used in ceremonial or little-used jewellery or set in small protective claw mounts on sleeves or collar-hems of gowns. Because it felt soapy to the touch, small zarbrina stones could be used on fancy intimate apparel or sewn into bed linens without causing discomfort.
Powdered zarbrina could be used as an ingredient for magical ink when dealing with illusion magic.
Zendalure
An opaque mottled blue-white gemstone is found in large egg-shaped crystals in solidified lava flows. It was a gemstone with remarkable preservative properties. Zendalure crystals could be found in places where lava had cooled and become solid. These blotchy blue-white crystals formed egg-shaped nodules approximately 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) in diameter and could be polished to a mirror-like finish. They were frequently used as inlays or cut into small cabochons for rings, earrings, and pendants. Worth around 2,000 gp.
Zendalure could be made into a syrup by crushing the stones into a powder and mixing it with water. This syrup could completely and indefinitely protect flesh and bone from all rot and decay. The meat or body parts had to be fully immersed in the mixture and not allowed exposure to sunlight directly. This preservative was known to keep fresh mammalian, reptilian, or avian flesh.
Ziose
A rare high-grade translucent zoisite flashes in three different colours depending on the angle of the light: purple, red, and blue or green—worth 300 gp. Ziose was the name given by sages to a particularly transparent variety of rosaline. A rare mineral yielded facet-grade stones that flashed three different colours depending on how the light refracted through them or what angle they were viewed - purple, blue and red, or purple, green, and red. Huge (fist, foot, or human head-sized) specimens of these fancy stones were sometimes found and prized for use in pendants by very tall humans, demihumans and humanoids. Sometimes the crystal was mistakenly called "Suicide".
A ziose gem could fire multiple barrages of magic missiles at the command of the last creature to touch it, provided that the creature had intelligence and knowledge of this ability. This being had to be within a few yards (metres) of the gemstone and had only to will it to happen. Salvos of missiles could continue for a few minutes and then cease. The ziose could not be activated again until it had time to recharge. This ability required no other effort or concentration from the activator, so it is unclear whether multiple targets could be affected or whether the missiles came out of a single facet all in the same direction.
Zircon
A transparent pale bluish-green gemstone worth around 50 gp. A mineral that could be cut into faceted gems. It was volcanic in origin, found in igneous rock formations. It was a brownish crystal that turned pale blue when heated sufficiently and cut into faceted gemstones. Zircons were sometimes substituted for more valuable gems to fool the uninitiated. Still, anyone with a passing knowledge of gemology (a jeweller, a dwarf, or even a seasoned adventurer) could notice the difference. Zircons had an affinity for magic and could be enchanted easily, making them a favourite for creating magical items.
Type
Ore/Mineral
