Guides/River Plains Gem School

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About

Tired of wasting gems practicing cuts you're not very good at yet? At the River Planes Gem School you can come practice your gem cutting skills on any of our many Scholar Tables designed to mimic actual gem cuts. The School is located at 1558,2900 in RP, just north of the chariot stop along the stream. It's the big CP that says GEM across the top. Come visit and never waste another gem again! We look forward to seeing you there.

Overview

Sections of Cuttable Gems are sliced away on a Gem Cutting Table until the result matches a target design in the Gem Catalogue. At that point, the cut gem may be removed into your inventory.

Nonstandard shapes may be saved in a Specimen Case (available with some multi-month pre-paid packages). Each case holds one cut gem. The contents of the specimen case may later be loaded onto a table for additional cutting.

In the absence of a specimen case, cut gems that don't match a Gem Catalogue entry must be discarded.

Positioning the Camera

Some players prefer to stand inside the table while cutting. However a good stance to begin with is to the right of Sanding Disk 1, in F6 view. Some players prefer to stand by the pole, with the camera rotated so it is on the rear right of the table. Others prefer the pole on the rear left, so the camera is looking at the face of the gem that will be sliced off by Disc 1. For some cuts you may want to change the camera angle to check on what is going on!

Using the Axis Controls

Getting used to the interface will make your gem cutting life easier. It does come with practice. Start by loading a cuttable gem. The option will come up when you click on the gem cutting table with a cuttable gem in your inventory. Pin the menu for reference.

Practice Session 1: 
* ROTATE the gem on the Z coordinate first. The + and - signs will switch the rotation direction. Four rotations brings you back to the beginning. 
* Now try the Y coordinate. The gem will FLIP towards you (-) or away from you (+) if you are facing Cutting Disk 1 at the front of the table. 
* Finally, try using the X axis. The gem will TWIRL either clockwise (+ -check) or anticlockwise (-) around the middle of the front face. 

It's easiest to view the table while using the Explorer's Camera (F6) or Builder's Camera (F7). Adjust your distance and viewing angle until it feels comfortable for you.

Eventually you may want cut gems using the hotkeys, but it makes sense to become familiar with the way the cutting blades work first.

Cutting the Gem

Each gem is roughly a cube comprised of 7x7x7 smaller cubes (a bit like a Rubric's cube, except bigger). Some of the smaller cubes are empty, and they are 'flaws'. The combinations of flaws and solid gems and the three cutting blades creates an infinity of possible designs. To cut a gem to create a predetermined shape, as listed in the gem catalogue is a definitely a special task requiring a good sense of spatial relationships. The gem catalog will display a sample gem atop the pole on the table, as a reference.

There are three sanding disks. Each disc works in a different plane, and will remove 1 layer of solid gem each time you use it.

Disc 1 works in the vertical axis (90 degrees). Only using Disk 1 will make cubes and rectangular box shapes.

Disc 2 works on the edge to edge diagonal (45 degrees to Disk 1). Using only Disk 2 will make diamond shapes, sometimes with interesting edge patterns.

Disc 3 works on the corner to corner diagonal. (45 degrees to Disk 2) Using Disk 3 also creates diamond shapes, but in a different orientation.

Practice Session 2
* Use Disk 1 to find and cut a solid square of gem, in any size.
* Use Disk 2 to cut a solid diamond of gem, in any size.
* Use Disk 2 to cut a solid bar 3 segments tall and 1 segment deep and wide. The use Disk 3 to create a pyramid on each end. 
  Compare to the gem catalogue for "Thistle", and adjust as needed. You have made your first cut gem!

Making the most of Flaws

Sculptors sometimes say that they can see the statue hidden within a block of stone, and cut away all the bits that aren't part of the statue. This is sort of what happens with gem cutting. The desired cut gem is hidden within the rough stone. Sand away all the bits that are not what you want.

All cuttable gems have flaws, in an endless array of random configurations. Most types of cut gem can only be formed by taking advantage of flaws in the gem. For example, the "Eyelet" cut requires a flaw two layers deep, surrounded by unflawed gem. The "Full Eye" cut is harder, requiring a three-deep flaw and corresponding surrounding solid gem.

Before starting to cut any gem, examine it carefully to see what can be made from it. It is MUCH more economical to look first to see what is in the gem and take advantage of what you have than waste precious cuttable gems by going for only what you need. The rarest sets of flaws might just come up, giving you a chance at a Dragyn's Eye or Full Aidenn Mask, and those chances are not to be missed!

When you have produced an exact match for a cut gem, rotate the gem so it matches the catalogue example and complete the cut by selecting the type of gem you are making from the "finished cutting" menu of the cutting table. If your gem is an exact match for the sample in the catalogue, it will be removed from the table to your inventory.

Some gem cuts require flaws that are present in only a small fraction of rough gems. Zomboe, an expert gem cutter, has provided an approximate estimate of rarity: Tiki Mask is insanely rare. Others, in approximate order of decreasing rarity, are King's Tomb, Unity, Bridge, Lotus, Ring, Dragyn's Eye, Full Aidenn Mask, Ra's Lantern. If you find a rough gem with the right flaws/ solid characteristics that can be cut into one of these, it's usually best to do it even if you're currently looking for something else - you'll be glad of it later.

Cut Gem Catalogue

Feel free to replace pictures with better ones (preferably 120x120).

Cut Gem		Carats	Available	Instructions	Rarity	Uses
Aidenn Mask		15	Yes	Two flaws next to each other with solid gem on the outside edge. To cut, use Disk 1 to cut away excess from the front and back of the flaws, then use Disk 2 to cut the angled edges.	Rare
Amanti		11	No	Cut a 2 x 2 x 2 solid square of gem using Disk 1. Then use Disk 2 to create the pyramidal form on the top, rotating on z axis as needed. Flip over to the other side and repeat.	All	1 Cut Garnet: Amanti for Test of the Windsong 1 Cut Turquoise: Amanti for Test of the Windsong <Varying Amounts> Garnet: Amanti for Test of the Covered Cartouche
Amunet		46	No	Rare! Look for a sphere of unflawed gem radius 5?
Appolonia		21	Yes	Using Disk 1, look for a 4 x 4 expanse of solid gem with a single flaw on one edge. Cut to a sheet 1 layer deep, then use Disk 2 to shape the angles around the flaw and to create the pointed bottom. If necessary, use Disk 1 to shape the sides.	All	1 Cut (Any Gem): Appolonia for Test of the Windsong
Bastet		11	No	A two-deep vertex flaw	All
Bridge		14	No	A pair of two-deep vertex flaws directly opposite each other	Ultra-rare
Cat's Eye		28	Yes	Find a two-deep flaw surrounded with solid gem. Trim off excess with Disk 1, then Disk 2 to do the corners. Flip so that the flaw is flat to the table and use Disk 1 to cut the faceted front, rotating on Z between each cut. Reorient to finish.	Rare
Choronzon		43	Yes	Needs a 2 deep x 3 wide x 3 high solid gem. Use Disk 1 to remove shallow flaws. With a flat side facing down use Disk 2 to cut opposing sides, flip and repeat. Stand the gem upright, and use Disk 3 for the corners. Might need Disk 1 to finish off.	Common
Corner Heart		4	Yes	Use Disk 3 throughout. Cut to a nice line on top. Rotate on Z twice and cut to the line. Then flip on Y axis twice and cut to one side of the line. Flip on Z twice and keep cutting. The last cut reveals the little dimples and it's done!	All
Crater		9	Yes	A pair of Three-deep flaws intersecting. Cut away excess using Disk 1, then turn the gem over and use Disk 3 to form a point. Finally, use Disk 1 to cut off the point and rotate gem to match the example.	very rare
Dalessi		25	Yes	Start with a 2x2x2 solid square. Doesn't matter if some corners are missing. Rotate so any missing corners are at the top and facing Disk 3. Use Disk 3 to cut one side to the base. Rotate (Z twice) and repeat. Then go one more. Done!	All
Dragyn's Eye		17	Yes	The trick is to find 2 intersecting flaws with solid gem around them. Use Disk 1 to reveal the flaws on an edge and cut off the base. With the corner eyes facing away, use Disk 3 to shave away until you have the final cut.	Rare
Eyelet		16	No	A two-deep vertex flaw	Common
Full Aidenn Mask		21	No	Parallel two-deep vertex flaws with a one-deep flaw between and below them	Ultra rare
Full Eye		24	No	A three-deep vertex flaw	Rare
Hexas Plate		9	Yes	Start using Disk 3 to find the 6-sided flaw surrounded with solid gem. Then use a combination of disks to trim around the edges, rotating as needed. Disk 3 will shave the back when the edges are done. A test of skill in spatial relations!	All
Hile's Chevrons		25	Yes	Rotate to find a face with mostly 1 deep flaws and use Disk 1 to remove. With the flat face to the front use Disk 3 to cut a 2x3 rectangle, twirling on x axis. When you rotate back around (on z axis), the distinctive facets are revealed.	All
Khufu's Ship		22	Yes	Find a shallow 2x1 flaw. Use Disk 1 to cut to the edges and Disk 3 to cut points on both ends. With the flaw at the bottom use Disk 2 to make the keel and Disk 1 to make the blunt end. Rotate the blunt end to face Disk 2 an cut to finalise. Turn it over to see the boat!	Uncommon
King's Tomb		43	Yes	One of the super rare gems to find. Needs single flaw in the centre of a side with solid gem 2 deep all around. Use Disk 1 to reveal the central dimple with solid gem all around it. Use Disk 3 to create the pyramid on the reverse, just like a Queens Tomb, but bigger.	Ultra rare
Lens		12	No	None	All
Looking Glass		24	No	A 6x4x1 area of unflawed gem	Common
Lotus		19	No	Specific pattern	Ultra rare
Moorish Arch		15	Yes
Osiris Eye		10	Yes	Description: A long 3 width flaw with a 2-deep flaw in the middle. To cut, use Disk 1 to remove the excess gem from both long sides. Flip so the 'eye' is at the bottom and pointing towards the front of the table. Use Disk 2 to create a peak and reveal the central eye. Turn back around and position to use Disk 3 to cut the points at the top and bottom.
Prism			No
Queen's Tomb		18	Yes	Single flaw surrounded by a ring of unflawed gem	Common
Ra's Lantern		27	Yes	Double-width vertex flaw, with one flaw two-deep, with unflawed gem on remaining three sides of prism	Ultra rare
Reflection		14	Yes	Two two-deep vertex flaws next to each other, points touching	Rare
Refractor			No
Ring		13	No	Two deep intersecting flaws forming a T shape surrounded by unflawed gem	Ultra rare
Shen of Horus		28	No	two adjacent 3-deep flaws, surrounded by unflawed gem	crazy
Solarkin		24	No
Sprocket		14	Yes	Needs a relatively unflawed diagonal plane. Position a large corner triangle opposite Disk 3, and cut to 3 deep. Cut a three sided shape using Disk 2, twirling on -X once and -Z three times to reposition. Flip over to work the same way on the other side, cutting to the edge of the first facet on the first face. Not as hard as it looks.	All
Suspension		9	Yes	Very like a Corner Heart to cut, except bigger and with the gap on the bottom. Find an 'eyelet' flaw (not on an edge) with solid on opposing sides. Turn the gem so the flaw is facing Disk 3 and cut to the centre of the flaw. Rotate on x twice and repeat. This will form the gap at the bottom of the cut between the two pointy legs. Rotate on Y to sit the gem on its legs and rotate on Z and use Disk 3 to shave away to form the distinctive shape. The 'dimples' will appear on the final cut.
Symmetry		19	No	A 3x3x3 area of unflawed gem	All
The Fox		?	No
The Shark		8	Yes	Find and cut a Full Eye, then use Disk 3 to take away opposing corners.	Rare
Thistle		12	No	None	All
Thoth's Knot		18	No	Two lines of three flaws, crossing adjacent to one another, with solid gem beside each and 1 cell of gem above and below	Ultra rare
Tiki Mask		35	No	Double-width one-deep vertex flaw	Ultra rare
Tombstone		26	No
Triclops		14	No
Unity		36	Yes	Two-deep vertex flaw surrounded by an area of unflawed gem. The trick is to find the configuration of flaw and unflawed gem. To cut, look for a Full Eye surrounded by solid gem, and use Cutting Disk 2 to create the distinctive frame around the central flaw.	Ultra rare