Editing v0.34:Gem industry

The only way to obtain rough gems is through [[exploratory mining]]; every gem tile has a 100% chance of producing a gem when mined.

The [[glass industry]] is also a ready source of [[glass|raw glass]], which is treated in most ways as a rough gem. While glass has a relatively low value compared to other gems, with a [[magma glass furnace]] and [[sand]] it is possible to produce raw glass in bulk, instead of mining for gems. Raw glass is also a valuable way to give dwarves [[experience]] in Gem Cutting and Gem Setting, or at least preventing those skills from becoming [[Rusty]].

Finally, a number of gem products are generally available through trade with dwarf and human [[caravan]]s, including cut gems, large gems, gem crafts, and various glass products. Caravans will often bring rough glass; rough gems, however, are notably not available for trade.

[[Gem cutting]] is a [[job]] at the jeweler's workshop; you can choose which type of gem to cut based on what ''rough gems'' you have available. Cutting consumes a rough gem and may produce a ''cut gem'', ''large gem'', or ''gem craft''. By far the most common result is a cut gem, which may used for encrusting other objects (see [[#Gem_Setting|Gem Setting]], below). Large gems and gem crafts are [[finished goods]] and occur less often; gem crafts are rarer than large gems. The gem cutter's skill level does not affect the chances of producing a large gem or gem craft, but it does affect the [[quality]] of those goods.  

'''Large gems''' are considered [[finished goods]] and cannot be used for any other purpose besides trading. Like most other finished goods, large gems have [[item value|quality levels]], dependent on the skill level in Gem Cutting. Large gems have a base value of 10, which is multiplied by the value of the gem (2-60) and the quality level (1-12). A large gem is thus worth 20-7,200☼.

'''Perfect gems''' are [[artifact]]s created by dwarves seized by a [[strange mood]]. They have a base value of 10, which is multiplied by the value of the gem (2-60) and the quality level (120); a perfect gem will always receive one free decoration, which effectively doubles the value. A perfect gem is thus worth 4,800-144,000☼. Perfect gems cannot be created on purpose, but keeping a stockpile of high-value gems adjacent to the jeweler's workshop might increase the chance of a moody dwarf choosing one of them. [[Forbid]]ding low-value gems is also an option.

[[Gem cutter]]s receive the same experience cutting raw glass as other, more valuable gems; so it is possible for beginning [[jeweler]]s to "train" by cutting raw green glass gems until they reach [[Legendary]] skill level. This requires a good source of [[sand]] and [[fuel]] or [[magma]] for the [[glass furnace]], and provides a surplus of cut glass gems which may be used to [[encrust]] trade goods and the like to train gem setting as well.

Create separate custom stockpiles for your high-value and low-value gems adjacent to one or two jeweler's workshops. Linking either stockpile to a jeweler's workshop will require jobs in that workshop draw from that stockpile. Use ({{key|q}}-{{key|P}}) to set the jeweler's workshop profile so only specific dwarves can use it. In this manner you can ensure that only the most skilled cutters and setters work with your most valuable gems.

When encrusting items, dwarves will generally go for the nearest piece of furniture/ammo/finished good that is not nailed down. To ensure that the gem setter encrusts the right item with the right gem(s), designate a small stockpile for that item as close to the jeweler's workshop as possible and link it to the jeweler's workshop. Note when encrusting finished goods, any discarded clothing in the workshop or linked stockpiles may be decorated; there is currently no way to avoid this short of tedious micromanagement.