Magic: Harder than diamonds?

[Tallor]

I was thinking about wizard staffs and magic jewels, and remembered that diamonds (according to DF 8, Treasure Tables) are left uncut by low-TL civilizations since it's simply too difficult to cut diamonds with TL3-4 tools.

However... what if one uses magical tools? Here's my math.

Firstly, I imagine that diamonds have a high DR, Hardened 1 (for obvious reasons), and Fragile (Brittle). To get a diamond cut without making a mess, I think one would require a tool with a (3) armor divisor and a Fine or equivalent blade for extreme precision.

For cutting diamonds using medieval tools, one would need a fine-quality (or magically Sharpened) blade with Penetrating Weapon. I imagine it could be costly to make any of this work, though...

What do you think?

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Tallor

For cutting diamonds using medieval tools, one would need a fine-quality (or magically Sharpened) blade with Penetrating Weapon. I imagine it could be costly to make any of this work, though...

What do you think?

Sure, Penetrating Weapon would do the trick. The first 2 leles of it aren't even that expensive. Almost certainly less expensive than the number of stones you'd ruin while inventing/teaching yourself the crafting of diamond-cutting. :)

[simply Nathan]

Shape Earth.

[(E)]

Shape earth in theory can turn 2 1 carat gems into 1 2 carat gem. Which messes with the gem value table. It seems like a GM switch if it can be used on gems.

[Celti]

Originally Posted by Tallor

[...]diamonds (according to DF 8, Treasure Tables) are left uncut by low-TL civilizations since it's simply too difficult to cut diamonds with TL3-4 tools.

This is simply untrue. The first guild of diamantaires was founded in 1375 and individuals practised the art well before then. You don't need magical tools, and especially not a fancy high armour divisor — though such tools might give you a bonus on Jeweller rolls for lapidary work.

[Turhan's Bey Company]

Originally Posted by Celti

This is simply untrue.

It's untrue both in the sense that it's not historically the case, and in the sense that it's not what DF8 says. The passage (DF8, p. 20) says "Diamond is so hard that it is often, at low TLs, not worked." It does not specify any TLs. Low Tech gets slightly more specific, indicating that diamond cutting is practiced by TL4.

[Tallor]

Originally Posted by simply Nathan

Shape Earth.

"This just in, gang wars breaking out between Earth Wizards United and the Jeweler's Guild. Authorities stating "The EWU recently learned to use Shape Earth on gems, and it snowballed from there". More at 10."

[Flyndaran]

If Shape Earth spells destroy the magical use of diamonds, then mages would be the most aggressive against messing up such valuable ingredients.

But if a hidden and/or ancient cabal figured out how to combine them for their specific form/schools/style, you could have the shrine with massive gems common to fantasy without sounding "too" silly or game wrecking.

[Refplace]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

If Shape Earth spells destroy the magical use of diamonds, then mages would be the most aggressive against messing up such valuable ingredients.

But if a hidden and/or ancient cabal figured out how to combine them for their specific form/schools/style, you could have the shrine with massive gems common to fantasy without sounding "too" silly or game wrecking.

And if everyone knows/assumes suspiciously shaped or large gems are cursed.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Refplace

And if everyone knows/assumes suspiciously shaped or large gems are cursed.

Also magically created diamonds may hold much less value even if in all objective ways identical to natural forms. Like how industrial and lab created gems cost pennies on the dollar compared to identical mined forms.