What Should I Do With My Gems in Stardew Valley?
Gems and minerals in Stardew Valley aren’t just pretty rocks to find; they’re versatile resources with a variety of uses. From tailoring clothes and completing the Community Center bundles to gifting and crafting, these sparkling finds can significantly impact your gameplay. The most straightforward answer to the question, “What should I do with my gems in Stardew Valley?” is this: you should strategically utilize them for multiple purposes rather than simply selling them. While selling gems can provide a quick influx of gold, you’ll find greater value in understanding how to leverage their diverse applications. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to make the most of your gem collection.
Utilizing Gems Effectively
Tailoring and Dyeing
One of the most exciting uses for gems is their ability to personalize your character’s appearance through the Sewing Machine located in Emily and Haley’s house (once unlocked). Every mineral, gem, and geode can be used as a fabric in the sewing machine to create unique clothing items. Moreover, these same items can be used to dye existing clothes. This allows for incredible customization. Don’t immediately sell that stack of quartz, consider how you want to style your character.
Community Center Bundles
Several gems are required to complete certain Community Center bundles, notably the Geologist’s Bundle. While these bundles may seem daunting at first, finishing them provides you with numerous benefits. Completing the Geologist’s Bundle contributes towards overall Community Center completion. It’s best to save at least one of each required gem for the bundles before selling them. Once the bundles are complete you can sell the rest without fear.
Gifting
Certain gems, especially diamonds, make excellent gifts for some villagers. Characters like Penny and Maru particularly appreciate these shiny presents. Gifting the villagers their preferred items can increase your friendship levels with them. Higher friendship levels lead to unique interactions, recipes, and even marriage. This makes gems valuable not only as resources, but as relationship builders.
Crafting and Special Machines
Many gems and minerals are required for crafting useful items. For example, Earth Crystals are used for crafting a specific item, while Quartz is needed for a variety of crafting projects. Additionally, Diamonds are required for creating a special machine later in the game. This adds another layer of usefulness, showing the need to save specific gems.
Museum Donations
Donating the first of each gem and mineral to the Museum is crucial for completing your collection. Donations unlock rewards such as seeds and other useful items. While selling can provide immediate benefits, the museum completion provides long-term benefits including a Stardrop, a permanent increase to your energy. Always donate the first one.
Strategic Selling: Knowing What to Sell
While many gems have crucial uses, some are more common and less important to keep in bulk. Diamonds and Prismatic Shards are the most valuable for direct sale because of their high price and lesser requirements. If you have duplicates after completing bundles and crafting needs, these gems make a substantial amount of money when sold. However, always prioritize other uses first.
When to Sell
The best time to sell your gems is after you’ve used them for tailoring, dyeing, completing Community Center bundles, crafting essential items, and donating one of each type to the museum. Once you’ve met these requirements and you still have extras, feel free to sell them to maximize your income.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Gems Should I Keep and Which Should I Sell?
Keep: At least one of each gem for Museum donations and bundles, gems needed for crafting like Earth Crystal, and Quartz. Sell: Duplicate Diamonds and Prismatic Shards once you’ve met other needs.
2. Is it Worth it to Keep All Minerals?
No, not in bulk. It is best to keep the rarer ones, but once you’ve completed bundles, crafts, and donations, it’s fine to sell common minerals.
3. Should I Donate Every Mineral to the Museum?
Yes, you should always donate the first of each type. The museum donations come with rewards and unlock unique items.
4. Are Diamonds Worth More than Other Gems?
Yes, diamonds are one of the most valuable gems, so save at least one for special purposes but sell extras for high profits.
5. What’s the Best Gem to Use in the Sewing Machine?
Any gem or mineral works in the sewing machine and dye pots. The aesthetic impact is dependent upon individual taste.
6. Can I Get More Than One Prismatic Shard?
Yes. Although it is rare, it can be found in the mines, skull cavern, and by breaking mystic stones.
7. What is the Rarest Item in Stardew Valley?
The Prismatic Shard and the Living Hat are considered the rarest items in Stardew Valley.
8. Should I Choose Miner or Geologist in the Mining Skill Tree?
Miner is generally considered better for most players because it allows for faster tool upgrades.
9. Is Mining a Worthwhile Activity in Stardew Valley?
Absolutely. Mining is crucial for obtaining ores, gems, and resources needed for crafting, upgrades, and completing the game.
10. What is the Most Expensive Thing to Buy in Stardew Valley?
The Gold Clock, costing 10,000,000 gold, is the most expensive item.
11. How Do I Unlock the Sewing Machine?
You unlock the sewing machine by completing the Emily’s Sewing Machine quest.
12. How Can I Get a Dinosaur Egg?
Dinosaur Eggs can be found by digging up artifact spots, in fishing treasure chests, or from killing prehistoric monsters in the skull cavern.
13. Should I Donate or Incubate a Dinosaur Egg?
Always incubate the first dinosaur egg to get a dinosaur, which will then provide endless dino eggs.
14. What are the Most Profitable Crops in Stardew Valley?
Cranberries, Sweet Gem Berries, and Ancient Fruit are among the most profitable.
15. What is the Best Way to Make Money in Stardew Valley?
Focus on producing processed goods, such as wine from Starfruit and Ancient Fruit, which sell for high prices. This allows you to earn large amounts of gold.
Conclusion
Gems in Stardew Valley are more than just pretty collectibles. They are integral to crafting, customizing, gifting, and completing important milestones within the game. By prioritizing your use of these precious stones, you can ensure that your playthrough is efficient and rewarding. It is important to remember to donate to the museum before selling, to craft essential items before focusing on profits. Strategize effectively, and your gem hoard will lead you to success.