Post by Wanderingfox
Gem Types:
Red: Matches red sockets
Purple: Matches red and blue sockets
Blue: Matches blue sockets
Green: Matches blue and yellow sockets
Yellow: Matches yellow sockets
Orange: Matches red and yellow sockets
Meta: Matches meta sockets
Multi colored gems (purple, green, orange) count as BOTH colors.
With the exception of meta gems and sockets, any gem can be placed in any socket, but only those placed in matching sockets will activate socket bonuses.
Example:
Edgewalker LongbootsThis item has one red socket and one yellow socket, and a socket bonus of +3 hit rating. If you were to socket it in any of the following ways you'd get the bonus:
1 red 1 yellow
1 red 1 orange
1 orange 1 yellow
Anything other than that would not grant you the additional 3 hit rating, but there is nothing preventing you from putting 2 yellow gems in it for example.
Meta gems have a "gem requirement" on them. Each meta gem is different, but for the sake of explanation we'll go with
Relentless Earthstorm Diamond. As you can see by the description it requires 2 red, 2 yellow, and 2 blue gems. This condition could be met in any of the following ways:
2 red, 2 yellow, 2 blue
2 red, 2 green
2 yellow, 2 purple
2 blue, 2 orange
You must have AT LEAST the requirement in order for the meta gem to function in most cases (there are a few gems that require you to be exact, but they're labeled as "exactly # <color> gems")