Part 84

Learn about collecting and cutting gems, and smelting precious metals in The Sims 3. Discover gem values, cut costs, and metal ore prices.

Gems are small, rocky collectables with pointy, colored bits that can be found scattered throughout the town. While common gems are easy to find, rarer gems are more valuable. However, raw gems have limited use until they are cut by a specialist. For a set fee, a specialist can cut your gem, significantly increasing its value.

There are 8 different gem cuts available. Initially, only the Emerald cut is accessible. As you perform more cuts, additional options become available: Oval after 4 cuts, Pear after 8, Plumbbob after 16, Marquis after 30, Crystal Ball after 45, and Brilliant after 60. Once you have used each of these cuts at least once, the Heart cut becomes available.

The value multiplier indicates how many times the gem's base value is increased after a cut. 'Value at Min' refers to the gem's value at its minimum weight, while 'Value at Max' is its value at maximum weight before any cuts.

Gems List:

• Blue Topaz: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §9, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §21
• Smoky Quartz: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §15, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §25
• Emerald: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §20, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §30
• Ruby: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §25, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §35
• Yellow Sapphire: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §35, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §60
• Tanzanite: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §60, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §95
• Diamond: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §100, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §200
• Rainbow Gem: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §150, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §350
• Luminorious Gem: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §450, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §700
• Pink Diamond: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §1200, Max Weight 105, Value at Max §1650

Gem Cuts:

• Emerald Cut: Requires 0 cuts, Value Multiplier 1.25, Cost §10
• Oval Cut: Requires 4 cuts, Value Multiplier 1.50, Cost §20
• Pearl Cut: Requires 8 cuts, Value Multiplier 1.75, Cost §35
• Plumbbob Cut: Requires 16 cuts, Value Multiplier 2.00, Cost §50
• Marquis Cut: Requires 30 cuts, Value Multiplier 2.30, Cost §75
• Crystal Ball Cut: Requires 45 cuts, Value Multiplier 2.60, Cost §100
• Brilliant Cut: Requires 60 cuts, Value Multiplier 3.50, Cost §250
• Heart Cut: Requires N/A, Value Multiplier 5.00, Cost §1000

Precious metals are found in their ore form and must be sent to a smelter. The smelting process costs a flat fee of §40, regardless of the ore type, and transforms the ore into a more valuable ingot, increasing its value by 75%. Rarity plays a role in finding these ores, with Plutonium ore being particularly sought after and safe to handle.

Like gems, the value of metals is determined by weight. There are 5 metals: Iron, Silver, Gold, Palladium, and Plutonium, listed in increasing order of value.

Metals List:

• Iron: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §7, Max Weight 52, Value at Max §20
• Silver: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §25, Max Weight 52, Value at Max §35
• Gold: Min Weight 1, Value at Min §40, Max Weight 52, Value at Max §120
• Palladium: Min Weight 80, Value at Min §300, Max Weight 300, Value at Max §500
• Plutonium: Min Weight 0.1, Value at Min §1000, Max Weight 5, Value at Max §1800

Space meteorites are another type of collectable that fall from the sky. Their value increases with size. However, unlike gems and metals, analyzing space rocks carries a risk: there's a chance the analysis will increase the rock's value, but it's not guaranteed.