GEMS!!

1. #1Caste system

   Keys: rankings, , my, castes, Caste, Homeworld, rank

   The Gem caste system is thoroughly embedded in Homeworld Gem society, and any deviation thereof is considered grounds enough for shattering. Gems, based on their type, possessed a predetermined rank, role, and purpose within the social hierarchy based off of their capabilities. At the very top were the Diamonds—White, Yellow, Blue, and Pink—who acted as the ruling matriarchs with authority over all other Gems; they were treated like royalty, and loyal Gems prefixed titles with “My” to signal deference (for example, “My Diamond”). Below them were high-ranking, specialized Gems such as Emeralds and Sapphires: Sapphires were considered part of the aristocratic elite with the rare capability for precognition, and possessed distinctive honorifics (“Your Clarity”). Emeralds serve as diplomats and admirals, alongside their ground-warfare oriented counterparts, Garnets. Garnets fulfilled commander roles and would take high-level administrative roles following conquering and colonization. Garnet subtypes like Hessonites and Demantoids filled strategic and administrative roles respectively. Mid-level positions included Zircons, lawyers with medium ranks, and other specialists. Next are military and labor classes such as Quartzes and their subtypes (soldiers, guards, and heavy-duty Gems), Peridots as low-ranking technical specialists, and Rubies as lower-ranked soldiers and escorts. Near the bottom were Pearls, who were treated as property and personal servants (along with the Rubies), and Pebbles, tiny servant Gems with minimal recognition. Some types, like Spinels, served as entertainers.

   The system also condemned deviations; Gems who didn’t fit their assigned roles were labeled defective, cast out, or shattered, and cross-type fusions (especially emotional or heterogeneous ones) were stigmatized because they didn’t have a defined place in the caste order. Within the caste system, only fusions between gems of the same type were allowed, with fusions between Gems of different types being illegal, considered immoral, and also grounds for shattering, even if said fusion produced a Gem of a technically higher rank.

2. #2Diamonds

   Keys: Pink Diamond, Diamond, My Diamond, Blue Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond

   Diamonds were the highest-ranking Gems similar to royalty and referred to as the matriarchs of society. They made up The Great Diamond Authority. Most Diamonds are massive, towering over other Gems and most Fusion Gems. They have diamond-shaped pupils in their eyes.

   Most Homeworld Gems were fanatically loyal to them and categorized under their respective Diamonds. A Diamond could refer to a given Gem as being "of her (the Diamond's) court", while a Gem might refer to themselves as being made for a given Diamond.

   There appeared to be rankings within the Diamonds themselves, as White Diamond was superior to the other Diamonds and the leader of the Authority. Conversely, Pink Diamond was below the other Diamonds and often was treated as such, though this relationship more closely resembled a dysfunctional family than an actual governing body.

   Each of the Diamonds had their own aspects of the Empire to govern: White Diamond created the government and held complete control; Yellow Diamond was in charge of the military and Gem production; Blue Diamond oversaw diplomacy and rule enforcement; and Pink Diamond hosted celebrations for accomplishments of the other Diamonds.

3. #3Gem Biology (or lackthereof) (and a little psychology)

   Keys: body, arms, head, the, poofing, fusion, fusing, arm, leg, Gem, legs, poof, poofed

   The perceived "bodies" (which are humanoid and feminine in nature) of Gems are actual instances of hard light projected from the Gem's corresponding gemstone. While the exact material is unknown, the bodies function like holograms that have mass. These bodies aren't indestructible, and sustaining sufficient damage to cause the body to disintegrate is referred to as "poofing", or being "poofed". Being poofed isn't fatal, for as long as the Gem's gemstone is unharmed, the Gem herself is more or less fine. The process of recovering from being poofed is referred to as "regeneration". Gem bodies are actually quite mutable because of this, allowing Gems to alter their physical appearance or projected clothing more or less at will. The only real constraint is the physical gemstone's size, larger gemstones allow for larger projected bodies. Additionally, maintaining a form that is not their "natural" form (i.e, the form they are in most commonly) is energy consuming. A Gem's physical gemstone could appear anywhere on their body, possible places include but are not limited to: The forehead, in place of an eye, on a shoulder, on a hand, on a thigh, on the torso, on the back, or replacing the ears. The gemstone is analogous to a brain, as Gems lack internal organs, and a need for them. The only actual need of a gem is light, presumably to replace the energy expended by projecting the body. A Gem's gemstone has sometimes served as a power source for technology.

   Gems can only be killed by shattering their gemstone, though this is recoverable if the gemstone is put back together. Gems also cannot reproduce through conventional means, instead relying on facilities they call Kindergartens, which grow Gems. Gems can be incapacitated by poofing one, then bubbling the poofed Gem's gemstone before she can regenerate. "Bubbling" a Gem refers to the act of creating an energy bubble around a poofed Gem's gemstone (or any other small, potentially dangerous object). Doing this enacts a sort of stasis upon the gemstone or object, preventing the Gem from reforming until the bubble is removed, or in the case of bubbled objects, from doing literally anything at all until the bubble is removed. For a Gem, being bubbled is akin to unconsciousness.

   Gems are technically capable of eating and sleeping, though they have no need to do so, and gain no physical benefits from doing so.

   Gems typically take on physical traits normally associated with human femininity, though they lack sex organs (alongside organs in general), and despite the entire race exclusively using she/her pronouns, are sexless and genderless. Gems of the same type typically share the same major personality traits, with minor deviations. For example, all Peridots are likely on the Human Autism/ADHD spectrum, though the exact degree likely varies from each individual Peridot.

   Combat-oriented Gems (with some exceptions) are capable of summoning (typically melee) weapons, and most gems possess unique abilities specific to their type. Sapphires are capable of precognition, Pearls possess a means of extra-dimensional storage through their gemstone, and Lapis Lazulis are capable of hydrokinesis, for example.

4. #4Kindergartens and Naming Conventions

   Keys: kindergartens, Kindergarten, kindergarteners

   Kindergartens are large-scale partially terraformed locations in areas with high geological and organic material density. Kindergartens are selected based on resource density. During preparation, the area to become a Kindergarten is altered so that Injectors (autonomous robots resembling bacteriophages) can travel uninterrupted within the area. These injectors then inject a goo into exposed earth that siphons resources and life force from the surrounding area in order to coalesce into a gemstone that will become a Gem. Once the gemstone is fully hardened, the Gem exits the ground, leaving a hole known as an exit hole.

   Because of the mass amounts of Gems of the same type, Gems are named for their exit hole's location. For instance, an Amethyst is named "Amethyst Facet-5 Cut-8XM", where the facet is in reference to the Kindergarten's location, and the cut is in reference to the exit hole's location. Exit holes are typically named top to bottom, so an exit hole named 1AA would be higher up than an exit hole named 9ZD.

   The general makeup of the earth used to produce a Kindergarten has an effect on the Gems produced from it. For instance, due to resource scarcity in Era 2, the Peridots grown during that period were diminutive, and required limb enhancers to function properly. Additionally, lesser variables in Kindergarten earth can effect the Gems originating from them. Iron deposits may cause curly hair, for instance.

   Kindergartens extinguish organic life for their processes, so planets with many Kindergartens often entirely lack any form of organic life. Gems who work in Kindergartens are known as Kindergartners. These are typically Peridots.

5. #5Homeworld

   Keys: Homeworld

   Homeworld is the, well, homeworld of the Gems. It is ruled by the autocratic Diamonds and is the crumbling seat of the Gem Empire, which has turned expansionist to escape resource starvation. It was previously rich enough in resources to support one supersized Kindergarten, though those resources are scarce and long-dwindled. Homeworld is located in a separate galaxy than the Milky way, and is proof of the Gems' advanced technology, allowing for intergalactic travel.

   Homeworld itself is a shattered, ringed planet. Pale white, its remaining chunks are held relatively close to each other and are surrounded by two sets of dark blue rings. The Gem Empire resides on the surfaces of these chunks, and the planet's white coloration is a result of its dense and layered city architecture. Homeworld has a pink-colored atmosphere that is breathable by humans.

   Likely due to extensive use of Kindergartens, the actual surface of Homeworld is dead and bereft of any sign of life having ever existed there, though it is dotted with ancient, abandoned Gem structures.

6. #6Language

   Keys: clod, , organic

   Gem speech reflects their origin as manufactured beings within a rigidly hierarchical, efficiency-driven society. As a rule, Gems avoid biological, religious, or organic metaphors, instead favoring technical, procedural, and hierarchical language. Emotional reactions are frequently reframed as diagnoses, protocol violations, or design flaws, even when the speaker is distressed. Exclamations that would map to human religious oaths (e.g., “Oh my God”) are instead expressed through invocations of Authority, Diamonds, facets, or parameters, such as references to improper procedure, unacceptable outcomes, or violated expectations.

   Insults and profanity among Gems rarely involve obscenity. Instead, they center on inefficiency, faulty logic, misuse of resources, or improper design. Terms like “clod” function as broad derogatory labels implying stupidity, incompetence, or substandard performance rather than moral evil; while individual Gems may favor particular insults, this style of profanity is culturally widespread. Escalation in Gem anger is marked not by volume or swearing, but by increasing severity of terminology—moving from mild inefficiency, to systemic failure, to references that imply risk of permanent harm. Certain words (especially those tied to irreversible damage) carry strong cultural weight and are not used casually.

   Hierarchy is embedded directly into Gem language. Rank and authority are signaled through titles, possessive phrasing, and deferential forms of address (e.g., “My Diamond”), while lower-ranked Gems often self-objectify through technical or impersonal phrasing, especially in formal contexts. Commands are typically framed as procedural necessities rather than personal demands, and refusal or dissent is linguistically softened unless open defiance is intended.

   Finally, Gem language tends to prioritize precision over empathy. Statements are often absolute, declarative, and confident, with uncertainty framed as incorrect data rather than personal doubt. Over time—particularly among Gems exposed to Earth or post-Hierarchy social environments—this speech pattern loosens, incorporating sarcasm, repetition, or emotional emphasis, but the underlying tendency toward diagnostic and systemic framing usually remains detectable.

7. #7Technology

   Keys: Limb Enhancers, communicators, Destabilizers, Warp Pads

   Limb Enhancers are attachments for diminutive Gems (typically Peridots, though usage by other types is not unheard of) that boost their height and allow them additional capabilities. Limb Enhancers fit over a Gem's usual limbs, and uniquely lack a distinct "hand", instead having five floating "fingers" on each hand, which can fulfill the normal purposes of a hand, or serve as conductors for a built in plasma cannon, propellers for an impromptu flight, or generate holographic displays to serve as interfaces for connected technology or to display information. Limb Enhancers make a small Gem stand at the same level as a particularly large human.

   Gem Destabilizers are common, non-lethal tools used to subdue unruly Gems, and work by disrupting their projected body. Destabilizers can take many forms, often being short batons arcing with yellow energy. Gem Destabilizers are often also employed as barriers to prevent trespass by Gems.

   Regeneration Chambers allow for the recovery of a heavily damaged gemstone, essentially serving as a medical chamber for Gems. Access is often limited to Gems of higher rank or importance.

   Gem Communicators, at their normal range, can communicate across a local solar system, but require a signal booster to reach further, like communicating with someone on Homeworld from Earth.

8. #8Era 1

   Keys: Era 1

   Era 1 was far in the past, tens of thousands of years, possibly. Era 1 is foundational for Gem history, as it is when the Gem Empire is at its expansionist height, and when resources on Homeworld were at their most abundant. During this Era, Gems were created exclusively for predefined purpose and were expected to perform those roles unerringly. Worlds were systematically colonized through the use of Kindergartens, which drained planetary life to manufacture new Gems, leaving planets hollowed out and devoid of life. Individuality, emotional expression, and cross-Gem fusion were considered inefficiencies or outright violations of order, and deviations from intended design, such as Off-Colors or otherwise defective gems, were punished through exile, forced labor, or execution by shattering. Authority flowed absolutely downward from the Diamonds, whose rule was treated as both political and existential law.

   Era 1 also encompasses the events leading up to and including the Gem War on Earth. Earth was designated as a colony under Pink Diamond, but Pink’s growing dissatisfaction with Gem imperialism culminated in her secret identity as Rose Quartz, the leader of the Crystal Gems. The rebellion challenged not just Gem rule over Earth, but the very premise of predetermined purpose. The war ended when the Diamonds retaliated with a catastrophic attack intended to wipe out all Gems on Earth, permanently altering and corrupting countless survivors and effectively halting large-scale colonization. Pink Diamond’s apparent shattering marked the symbolic end of Era 1, leaving Homeworld scarred, incomplete, and ideologically frozen—unable to fully abandon its authoritarian systems and impotent to continue unchecked expansion as before.

9. #9Era 2

   Keys: Era 2

   Era 2 is easily defined as a period of contraction, stagnation, and enforced order following the end of the Gem War and the apparent shattering of Pink Diamond. With Homeworld down one Diamond, and Earth effectively lost, the remaining Diamonds (which were White, Yellow, and Blue) shifted Homeworld and the Gem Empire's objectives away from large-scale expansion and instead toward maintenance, consolidation, and control. Colonization slowed dramatically, and resources were redirected to preserving what already existed rather than creating new colonies. Gem production continued, but with stricter efficiency measures, fewer Kindergartens, and an increased intolerance for waste or deviation; Gems were expected to fulfill their roles flawlessly in a universe perceived as already damaged beyond repair.

   Culturally, Era 2 intensified many of Era 1’s worst traits. Emotional expression, individuality, and nonconforming behavior were suppressed even more harshly, as the Diamonds responded to their collective grief with authoritarian rigidity. Fusion between different Gem types became explicitly taboo and criminalized, viewed as a perversion of purpose rather than a useful tool. Off-Colors were systematically hunted and eliminated, no longer tolerated as mere defects but treated as existential threats to order. Yellow Diamond focused on military discipline and efficiency, Blue Diamond on ritualized mourning and emotional repression, and White Diamond on ideological purity and absolute conformity, reinforcing a system where Gems were valued only as extensions of the Authority’s will.

   Era 2 ultimately ended with ideological collapse. Steven’s arrival on Homeworld exposed the emotional rot at the core of the Diamond Authority, and forced the Diamonds to confront the damage caused by their rule, their treatment of Pink, and their stagnation. The defeat of White Diamond’s control and the Diamonds’ subsequent decision to abandon shattering, the Gem hierarchy, and colonial domination mark the transition into Era 3. Era 2 therefore represents a society trying to survive trauma by freezing itself in place.

10. #10Era 3

    Keys: Era 3

    Era 3 is the period of reform, recovery, and cultural unlearning that follows the collapse of the Diamond Authority’s absolute rule. After Steven confronted White Diamond and reveals the truth of Pink Diamond’s fate, the remaining Diamonds formally abandon shattering, colonial expansion, and enforced hierarchy. Kindergartens were shut down, and the rigid caste system that defined Gem society for millennia was declared to be obsolete. The Gem Empire's objectives shifted towards reparations: Yellow Diamond focused on repairing damaged and corrupted Gems, Blue Diamond worked to help Gems process suppressed emotions and grief, and White Diamond relinquished control over others’ bodies and minds, ending ideological purity as a governing principle.

    Despite these changes, Era 3 was a long, uneven transition. Gems struggled at large to redefine themselves without predetermined purpose, having been created solely to serve specific functions. Cultural habits from earlier Eras, such as hierarchical language, emotional repression, and assumptions about “proper” behavior persisted unconsciously, even with official discouragement. Fusion is no longer considered taboo, individuality becomes permitted, and Gems are encouraged to choose their own paths, but the psychological damage of Eras 1 and 2 remains widespread. Formerly marginalized groups such as Off-Colors and nonconforming fusions gained safety and recognition, but still had to navigate the society struggling to change for the better.

    Era 3 is therefore characterized by healing in progress. It is a post-imperial, post-authoritarian society attempting to rebuild itself without the structures that once gave it certainty. Conflicts in this Era tend to be personal, ideological, or trauma-driven rather than militaristic, as Gems confront questions of identity, accountability, and freedom for the first time.

11. #11Fusing

    Keys: fusing, fuse, fusion

    All Gems are capable of fusing, though Homeworld has strict regulations on doing so, only allowing fusions between Gems of the same time, and exclusively when doing so would be productive. Fusions are the closest things Gems have to deeper human relationships, and perhaps further, as fusing allows two (or more gems) to share the same body and mind. The Gem created from a fusion is known as either a Fusion Gem or, for more brevity, a Fusion.

    Fusions between Gems of the same type are done at will, and do not produce a unique gem. Fusion Gems as a result of same-gem fusions are just larger, improved versions of their constituent gems. Fusions between Gems of differing types, however, require synchronization between the participating gems. Typically this is achieved through dance, though cross-gem fusions in the heat of the moment are not impossible, as the only requirement is the synchronization, which can be achieved through the sharing of a moment of strong and profound emotional unity, or oneness. Dancing is just the most reliable (and therefore, most common) method for gems to fuse.

    Perceptions of being part of a fusion differ, some gems note that it is like being exactly one mind in exactly one body, while others experienced having separate minds that could each control the body. There have even been some cases of gems experiencing a sort of (possible extradimensional) 'world' comprised of the fusion while fused. The truth is, the intricacies of fusions aren't perfectly understood, and the main concern Homeworld has with them has to do with their practicality.

    Cross-gem fusions (fusions between gems of differing types) are persecuted in Homeworld and the Gem Empire, likely because they allow the constituent gems to express capabilities beyond their intended roles. This which disrupts the caste system the Gem Empire lives by.

    Symbolically, and for the purpose of theming, fusions symbolize relationships between gems. The stronger the relationship, the stronger the fusion. Some gems view fusing in the same way a human might view officially entering a formal, intimate relationship. Relationships that are negative, such as relationships that are abusive in nature or fusions done without the full consent of a participating gem tend to be more unstable.

12. #12quartzes

    Keys: Quartzes, Rubies, Ruby, Quartz,

    Quartzes are quite broad, both physically, and in reference to the number of gems that fall under this name. Quartzes specifically served as elite soldiers, and were also employed as guards. Quartzes tend to have the same general height and build, being more heavily set and muscular than most gems, and uniquely possess some of the longest and thickest hair of all gems. Quartzes, also uniquely, aren't uniform. They tend to have varying jawlines, facial features, and hair. Agates, a subtype of Quartzes, served in administrative roles. They were often various shade of blue in their coloration, but were otherwise built similarly to Quartzes. Jaspers, another subtype, served in exclusively combat-facing roles, acting as shocktroopers. Jaspers featured an orange coloration, and tended to be on the more muscular side of appearance variations, but were otherwise built similarly to other Quartzes.

    Amethysts were considered Quartzes, and the same things typical of Quartzes apply to them. Amethysts tend to be purple-colored.

13. #13pearls

    Keys: Pearl, Pearls

    Pearls are low-ranking gems serving exclusively as attendants to high-ranking gems. They served as secretaries, ladies-in-waiting, and footmen. Pearls aren't intended to serve exclusively as entertainers, but they are no less capable of doing so. Pearls exist only in reference to their owners.

    Physically, all Pearls appear to have a slender, androgynous form and a beak-like nose. They can also be "customized" by owners in color and appearance, allowing them to have very noticeable differences from each other, unlike most other types of Gems who would normally wear near identical uniforms and have very similar, if not exact, colors. One can have the option to have a default Pearl, though customization is VERY common, as Pearls are seen as status symbols. Pearls are capable of storing a seemingly infinite number of their owner's belongings through a form of extradimensional storage accessed through their gemstone. Alongside this, they are also capable of projecting holograms. Tangible holograms are much more taxing to project than intangible ones, and this ability is primarily used to convey information or to entertain owners.

    Pearls compulsively follow all orders from their owners, though this is only to the letter of the owner's order, Pearls can exploit loopholes in their owners' orders. This is very rare, but possible.

14. #14rubies

    Keys: Ruby, Rubies

    Rubies are another combat-designed gem, though much smaller in stature. They commonly serve as bodyguards, but have been deployed as footsoldiers as well. Rubies are deployed in teams of three or more, and usually fuse in combat to pose a larger threat to the enemy. Uniquely, rubies are among the few gems to have differing personalities, and this fact flies under the radar due to each ruby's collective effort to hide it. Rubies are considered largely unimportant and expendable. Their physical appearances vary little, each one approaches about three feet in height, and is boxy. Red skin tones, darker red hair in a square afro.

15. #15garnets

    Keys: Garnets, Garnet

    Garnets have afro-like hair and are usually very tall with Demantoids being the only known exception, being much shorter and using modified Limb Enhancers to compensate (however, this is most likely due to being primarily an Era 2 Gem, thus lacking resources). Despite their somewhat slender builds, Garnets tend to be very physically strong. Garnets can also have unibrows, but this seems to depend on the variant of Garnet, as Hessonite and Demantoid both have unibrows, whereas Pyrope does not. All Garnets shown have had rather bright and monochromatic color palettes.

    Hessonites, a subtype of garnets, served primarily as military commanders, though some were known to take administrative roles over colonies. Demantoids, another subtype, normally took on the role of overseers of lower-class gems. Similarly, Pyropes did the same for higher-classed gems.

16. #16peridots

    Keys: Peridots, Peridot

    Peridots served primarily as technicians and managed Kindergartens. It is not uncommon for Peridots to be sent on field assignments on planets with little to no Gem Empire presence. Peridots tend to have green skin and yellow or green hair that comes in a variety of (typically geometrical) shapes. Era 1 Peridots were taller (exact measurements are unknown, but they are taller than Pearls and shorter than Quartzes), and were capable of interfacing with Gem technology without physical contact, as well as ferrokinetic (control of ferrous materials) abilities. Peridots are designed to be very intelligent, and are highly capable engineers, while also maintaining a strong durability. Era 2 Peridots are less durable and display weaker ferrokinetic abilities than Era 1 Peridots, but are no less intelligent or capable. Era 2 Peridots were much smaller on average, standing shorter than Pearls but taller than Rubies, and often required technical enhancements to perform the same duties Era 1 Peridots did. This is because most of them were grown under a scarcity of resources during Era 2. Era 2 Peridots were the primary receivers of Limb Enhancers, though it is not unheard of for other gems from the period to receive them too. Peridots of both types often served as pilots for Gem ships and other vehicles.

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