The Rarest Drop in OSRS: Uncut Onyx from a Bag Full of Gems

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game renowned for its grind, rewarding players with rare and prestigious items that showcase their dedication, skill, and a sprinkle of luck. Among the countless treasures hidden within Gielinor, one drop stands above all as the rarest in OSRS history: the Uncut Onyx from a Bag Full of Gems. With a staggering drop rate of 1/100,000,000 per gem (or 1/2,500,000 per bag), this elusive gem has captured the imagination of players since its confirmation in 2020. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into what makes this the rarest drop in OSRS, explore its mechanics, compare it to other ultra-rare items, and uncover why it’s a symbol of both triumph and madness in the RuneScape community.

The Uncut Onyx from a Bag Full of Gems isn’t just rare—it’s practically mythical. While OSRS is filled with items boasting low drop rates, none come close to the sheer improbability of this gem. Let’s break down why it holds the crown as the game’s rarest drop.

The Insane Drop Rate

The Bag Full of Gems, purchasable from the Motherlode Mine or Prospector Percy’s Nugget Shop, contains 40 gems when opened. Each gem has a 1/100,000,000 chance of being an Uncut Onyx, translating to a 1/2,500,000 chance per bag. To put this into perspective, you’d need to open millions of bags just to have a sliver of hope. In June 2020, Jagex officially confirmed that a player, enneUni, achieved this feat, cementing its status as the rarest drop ever recorded in OSRS.

Practicality vs. Prestige

Unlike other rare drops like the Twisted Bow or Elysian Sigil, the Uncut Onyx from a bag isn’t a game-changer in terms of utility. It’s the same item you can obtain from Zulrah at a 1/128 drop rate or buy from the TzHaar gem shop for Tokkul. What sets it apart is the prestige—owning one from a Bag Full of Gems is a bragging right no amount of gold can buy.

How Does the Uncut Onyx Compare to Other Rare Drops?

While the Uncut Onyx reigns supreme, OSRS is home to other notoriously rare items that test players’ patience and luck. Let’s compare it to some of the game’s most coveted drops to see how it stacks up.

Third Age Armour (1/40,200 per specific piece)

Third Age Armour, dropped from elite and master clue scrolls, is a symbol of wealth and rarity. With a 1/40,200 chance for a specific piece, it’s incredibly rare—but still over 60,000 times more common than the Uncut Onyx per gem roll. Players chasing this set often spend years completing clues, yet it pales in comparison to the gem bag grind.

Bloodhound Pet (1/1,000 from Master Clues)

The Bloodhound Pet, a reward from Master Clue Scrolls, has a 1/1,000 drop rate per casket. However, obtaining Master Clues themselves is a lengthy process involving quests, high skills, and luck, making the effective rarity much higher. Still, it’s nowhere near the Uncut Onyx’s astronomical odds.

Champion’s Cape (1/5,000 per scroll, 10 required)

The Champion’s Cape requires collecting all 10 Champion’s Scrolls, each with a 1/5,000 drop rate from specific monsters. The combined odds of completing this set are mind-boggling, but even this monumental task is statistically more achievable than landing the Uncut Onyx from a bag.

The Grind Behind the Uncut Onyx

Obtaining the Uncut Onyx from a Bag Full of Gems isn’t just about luck—it’s a logistical nightmare. Here’s what it takes to even attempt this insane grind.

Acquiring Bags Full of Gems

Bags can be bought for 100 golden nuggets at the Motherlode Mine or 40 points from the Prospector’s Nugget Shop. Earning nuggets requires mining pay-dirt, a slow process yielding roughly 20-30 nuggets per hour with optimal setups. To open millions of bags, you’d need thousands of hours just to gather the resources—before even rolling the dice.

The Math of Madness

To have a 50% chance of getting the Uncut Onyx, you’d need to open approximately 1,732,867 bags (using the formula 1 – (1 – 1/2,500,000)^n = 0.5, solved for n). At 100 nuggets per bag and 25 nuggets per hour, that’s over 6,931 hours of mining—nearly 289 days of nonstop play. For a 90% chance, you’re looking at 5,755,061 bags or 23,020 hours (960LCDays). This isn’t a grind; it’s a lifestyle.

• Time to 50% chance: ~6,931 hours
• Time to 90% chance: ~23,020 hours
• Bags per hour (manual opening): ~600-700 with banking

Why Do Players Chase the Rarest Drop in OSRS?

With such absurd odds and minimal practical reward, why would anyone pursue the Uncut Onyx from a Bag Full of Gems? The answer lies in the heart of OSRS’s appeal.

The Allure of RNG Glory

OSRS thrives on Random Number Generation (RNG), where rare drops fuel excitement and community lore. The Uncut Onyx isn’t about wealth—it’s about being part of history. When enneUni hit the 1/100,000,000 roll, it wasn’t just a personal victory; it was a moment celebrated across forums, streams, and social media.

A Test of Dedication

For some, chasing the rarest drop is the ultimate test of commitment. It’s not about efficiency or profit but proving you can conquer the impossible. Players who take on this grind embody the spirit of OSRS: relentless, stubborn, and a little unhinged.

Could There Be a Rarer Drop in the Future?

The Uncut Onyx from a Bag Full of Gems is the rarest drop as of April 2025, but OSRS evolves constantly. Could Jagex introduce something even rarer? Let’s speculate.

Potential New Contenders

Jagex could add a new item with a 1/1,000,000,000 drop rate or tie ultra-rare loot to complex conditions (e.g., a specific boss kill under unique circumstances). However, the Uncut Onyx’s simplicity—tied to a basic gem bag—makes it uniquely absurd. A new rare drop would need to balance rarity with accessibility to avoid alienating players.

Community Impact

Rare drops shape OSRS’s culture, from Twitch celebrations to Reddit threads. If a rarer item emerges, it could redefine what “rare” means, but it’s hard to top the Uncut Onyx’s blend of obscurity and infamy. For now, it remains the gold standard of rarity.

In conclusion, the Uncut Onyx from a Bag Full of Gems is more than just the rarest drop in OSRS—it’s a testament to the game’s chaotic charm. Its 1/100,000,000 odds defy reason, turning a mundane item into a legend. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore grinder, this drop encapsulates the thrill of the chase that keeps OSRS alive. So, next time you open a Bag Full of Gems, take a moment to dream—you might just join enneUni in the annals of Gielinor’s history.