Gems are a crucial currency in Blue Prince, primarily used to draft certain special Rooms that offer unique abilities, access to other mechanics, or valuable bonuses like extra Doors. While most rooms don't require Gems, having a steady supply is essential for strategic manor building. This spoiler-free guide will detail every major source of Gems in Blue Prince to ensure you never run low.
In Blue Prince, Gems serve almost exclusively as the required currency to draft specific special Rooms. While the majority of rooms can be drafted freely, those that grant you a unique ability (like the Laboratory), are linked to other manor systems (like the Security Room or Boiler Room), or provide significant advantages (such as the Grand Hall's extra Doors) typically require at least one Gem to place in your manor.
Here are all the primary methods for acquiring more Gems in Blue Prince:
Some rooms inherently contain Gems when you draft them. This is indicated on the room tile during the drafting phase. In the early game, you can reliably find these four rooms across all ranks, each guaranteeing at least one Gem:
The Patio is a special case. It doesn't contain a Gem by default, but upon entering the room, it will spread Gems to all other Green Rooms currently in your manor, including itself. A useful strategy is to enter the Patio, collect the spawned Gem, and then backtrack to other Green Rooms to find additional Gems.
You can also randomly find Gems in rooms that don't explicitly show a Gem reward on their tile. Keep a sharp eye out for these multicolored collectibles in various locations within rooms like the Guest Bedroom (on a table), the Security Room, the Boudoir, and several others. Thoroughly explore every corner of each room.
One of the most reliable early-game sources for multiple Gems is solving the Parlor Game puzzle, specifically the Three Boxes puzzle. Successfully identifying the box containing the Gems will reward you with 2x Gems.
This puzzle presents three boxes, each with a statement written on it. To solve it, remember these crucial rules:
By carefully analyzing the statements on each box and applying a bit of logical and lateral thinking, you can deduce which box holds the Gems and claim your reward.
Similar to Keys, you can occasionally find Gems for sale at certain shops within Blue Prince. The Commissary and the Trader (located outdoors) are the primary shops that may offer Gems. They can be sold individually or in packs.
However, unlike Keys (which have the dedicated Locksmith), there isn't a specific vendor who exclusively sells Gems. Furthermore, shop inventories in Blue Prince are randomized with each run, so you cannot rely on being able to purchase Gems every day. Always check the shop inventories when available.
Certain rooms in Blue Prince are designated as special item rooms. These rooms contain two to four items that you can collect, drawn from a pool of collectibles, tools, and other useful items – including Gems. In fact, Gems are quite a common find in these rooms.
Rooms like the Closet, Walk-In Closet, and Toolshed have a high probability of containing Gems among their special items. Be mindful that special item rooms are always Dead Ends and cannot be connected to other rooms in your manor.
The Watering Can is a unique special item that provides a way to obtain Gems. It comes with three charges. If you use a charge upon entering a Green Room, you will gain 1x Gem. This effect only works the first time you enter a specific Green Room after using a Watering Can charge. So far, the Watering Can has primarily been found in the Toolshed and the outdoor Grounds room (accessible after unlocking the West Gate), but it might have a chance to appear in other rooms as well.
Throughout your exploration, you will encounter locked containers, most notably locked trunks. To open these, you'll need to either use a Key or break the lock with a Sledgehammer.
Locked trunks function similarly to special item rooms in that they contain a set of items. While you won't find tools like the Metal Detector in them, there is a high chance of obtaining Gems and other collectibles such as Keys and Gold.
If you are running low on Gems but have a surplus of Keys or a Sledgehammer, seeking out and opening locked trunks can be a good way to replenish your Gem supply. However, be cautious about using Keys if you are also low on them, as you'll need Keys to open locked doors, which become more prevalent at higher ranks. If you have an abundance of Keys or a Sledgehammer/Lockpick, there's little reason not to open any locked containers you discover.
The Observatory room offers a unique, long-term method for acquiring Gems. Each time you draft the Observatory room, your Star count will increase by one, and different constellations will appear when you look through the room's central telescope.
As you continue your attempts, progress through game days, and draft the Observatory to increase your Star count, you will eventually begin to discover multiple constellations simultaneously. Because of this system, the more frequently you draft the Observatory, the higher the likelihood of discovering Diamondus Minor or Major alongside other constellations that offer additional bonuses.
By utilizing these various methods, you can ensure a steady flow of Gems in Blue Prince, allowing you to strategically draft the special Rooms necessary for your progress and to unlock the deeper mysteries of the manor. Remember to explore thoroughly, solve puzzles, and manage your resources wisely to maximize your Gem acquisition.