Mining Gem Rocks in OSRS: The Ultimate Guide to Gems, XP, and Profit

Mining Gem Rocks in OSRS: The Ultimate Guide to Gems, XP, and Profit


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of mining activities, but few are as rewarding as mining gem rocks. Whether you’re chasing experience points (XP), hunting for valuable gems, or aiming to make a profit, gem rocks provide a unique and engaging way to level up your Mining skill. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about mining gem rocks in OSRS, from locations and requirements to strategies and potential rewards. Let’s dive into the world of gem mining and uncover why it’s a hidden gem for players!

Mining gem rocks stands out as a versatile activity in OSRS, blending decent XP rates with the chance to score valuable loot. Unlike traditional ore mining, gem rocks yield a variety of uncut gems—think sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and diamonds—that can be cut for Crafting XP or sold for a tidy profit. For Ironmen, this method is a goldmine (or gem mine!) for gathering resources independently, while casual players can enjoy the balance of skill training and economic gain.

The Appeal of Gem Mining

Gem rocks offer a refreshing break from the monotony of mining iron or coal. The unpredictability of what gem you’ll unearth adds an element of excitement, and the potential for high-value drops keeps you hooked. Plus, with the right setup, you can optimize your time and turn this into a profitable venture.

XP Rates and Profit Potential

Each gem rock mined grants 65 Mining XP, making it a solid mid-tier training method. At higher levels with efficient techniques, you can hit upwards of 50,000–115,000 XP per hour. On the profit side, gems like diamonds and rubies can fetch a decent price on the Grand Exchange, often netting you hundreds of thousands of gold per hour depending on market trends.

Where to Find Gem Rocks in OSRS

Gem rocks are scattered across Gielinor, but not all locations are created equal. Knowing where to go and what requirements you need to meet is key to maximizing your mining efficiency. Here are the primary spots to mine gem rocks and what you’ll need to access them.

Shilo Village Gem Mine

The Shilo Village gem mine is the go-to spot for most players. Located in the northwest corner of Shilo Village, it’s accessible after completing the Shilo Village quest. The surface level has a handful of rocks, but the real treasure lies underground.

  • Surface Level: A few gem rocks, good for casual mining.
  • Underground Section: Unlocked with the Medium Karamja Diary, this area boasts 48 gem rocks and a handy Bank Deposit Chest.

Lunar Isle Mine

For a quieter alternative, the Lunar Isle mine offers gem rocks after completing the Lunar Diplomacy quest. It’s less crowded than Shilo Village, but the lack of a nearby bank makes it less convenient for banking gems unless you’re cutting them on the spot.

Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup Minigame

During the Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup minigame, gem rocks can spawn randomly with a 5% chance per jungle-clearing event. These rocks are unique—they’re encrusted with visible gems and can be mined three times before despawning. No quest is required, just participation in the minigame.

Requirements and Gear for Mining Gem Rocks

To start mining gem rocks, you’ll need the right tools and preparation. Here’s what you should bring to the table to make the most of your gem-mining adventure.

Skill and Quest Requirements

You’ll need at least 40 Mining to mine gem rocks. Beyond that, specific locations have their own prerequisites:

Essential Gear

Your gear can make or break your mining efficiency. Here’s what you should equip:

Optional Boosts

For an extra edge, consider these:

How to Mine Gem Rocks Efficiently

Mining gem rocks isn’t just about clicking rocks—it’s about optimizing your approach. Whether you’re after XP, profit, or both, these strategies will help you get the most out of your time.

Basic Mining Technique

At its core, mining gem rocks is simple: equip your pickaxe, wear a charged Amulet of Glory, and click the rocks. Each successful mine takes about 99 ticks (59.4 seconds) to regenerate, so you’ll need to move between rocks or hop worlds if they’re depleted.

Tick Manipulation for Max XP

For serious miners, 3-tick mining can boost your XP rates significantly. In the underground Shilo mine, with a Dragon Pickaxe, charged Amulet of Glory, and tick manipulation, you can hit 105,000–115,000 XP per hour at 99 Mining. Here’s how:

  1. Use a 3-tick action (e.g., herb and tar) before clicking a gem rock.
  2. Move counterclockwise around the underground mine, hitting each rock in sequence.
  3. Deposit gems at the Bank Deposit Chest when your inventory or gem bag fills.

Profit Optimization

To maximize profit, focus on banking high-value gems (rubies and diamonds) and consider fletching lower-tier gems (opal, jade) into bolt tips on-site. This reduces banking trips and increases your hourly haul. With the gem bag, you can average 400–950 gems per hour, translating to 160,000–390,000 GP depending on prices.

Gem Average GE Price (GP) Profit per Hour (950 Gems)
Uncut Sapphire 200 47,500
Uncut Emerald 400 95,000
Uncut Ruby 800 190,000
Uncut Diamond 1,600 380,000

Note: Prices fluctuate; check the Grand Exchange before banking.

Tips, Tricks, and Rewards from Gem Mining

Beyond the basics, there are plenty of ways to enhance your gem-mining experience. From rare drops to long-term benefits, here’s what you can expect and how to make the most of it.

Rare Drops and Perks

While mining gem rocks, you might encounter:

  • Rock Golem Pet: Gem rocks have one of the highest drop rates for this coveted Mining pet.
  • Double Gems: A rare chance (boosted by a Ring of Wealth) to mine two gems at once.

Combining Skills

Bring a chisel to cut gems on the spot for Crafting XP, or fletch them into bolt tips for Fletching XP. This multitasking approach saves time and adds variety to your grind.

Long-Term Benefits

Gem mining isn’t just about immediate rewards. Stockpiling gems can fuel your Crafting journey to 99, while the profit can fund expensive gear or other skills. For Ironmen, it’s a reliable source of jewelry materials for teleports and enchantments.

Mining gem rocks in OSRS is a fantastic way to blend XP training with profit-making, all while enjoying the thrill of the unknown. Whether you’re swinging your pickaxe in Shilo Village or exploring the Lunar Isle, this guide has you covered. Grab your gear, charge that Amulet of Glory, and start mining—your next big gem haul is waiting!