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Crafting
Semi-Precious Gem Cutting - Opals
Level 1
General Description: Cutting opals.
Creation/Revision Date: December 23, 2009
Members Only? Yes
Skill Requirements: Crafting(1)
Quest Requirements: --
Equipment Requirements: Chisel
Other Requirements: --
Additional Info: --
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Level-Specific Activity Details (P2P)
Level 1-15 (P2P)
Level 16-30 (P2P)
Level 31-46 (P2P)
Level 47-60 (P2P)
Level 61-75 (P2P)
Level 76-90 (P2P)
Level 91+ (P2P)
Description
Cutting opals at Castle Wars Bank.
Cutting opals at Castle Wars Bank.
Cutting opals at Castle Wars Bank.
Cutting opals at Castle Wars Bank using a magpie familiar.
Cutting opals at Castle Wars Bank using a magpie familiar.
Cutting opals at Castle Wars Bank using a magpie familiar.
Cutting opals at Castle Wars Bank using a magpie familiar.
Location
Castle Wars Bank
Castle Wars Bank
Castle Wars Bank
Castle Wars Bank
Castle Wars Bank
Castle Wars Bank
Castle Wars Bank
Multitasking Suitability
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Level-Specific Requirements
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
Activity Parameters (As Evaluated for Skill and Level)
Skills
Crafting(1-15)
Crafting(16-30)
Crafting(31-46)
Crafting(47-60), Summoning(47)
Crafting(61-75), Summoning(47)
Crafting(76-90), Summoning(47)
Crafting(91+), Summoning(47)
Quests
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
Equipment
Chisel
Chisel
Chisel
Chisel
Chisel
Chisel
Chisel
Familiar
--
--
--
Magpie
Magpie
Magpie
Magpie
Other
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
Input and Output Items and Values
Total Input Value
83,600 gp
83,600 gp
83,600 gp
86,383 gp
86,383 gp
86,383 gp
86,383 gp
Input Items and Item Values
Uncut opal[3,800]
83,600
Uncut opal[3,800]
83,600
Uncut opal[3,800]
83,600
Uncut opal[3,800]
83,600
Magpie pouch[1.8]
2,782
Uncut opal[3,800]
83,600
Magpie pouch[1.8]
2,782
Uncut opal[3,800]
83,600
Magpie pouch[1.8]
2,782
Uncut opal[3,800]
83,600
Magpie pouch[1.8]
2,782
Total Output Value
45,600 gp
54,000 gp
60,480 gp
94,285 gp
101,005 gp
110,845 gp
116,125 gp
Output Items and Item Values
Opal[1,900]
45,600
Opal[2,250]
54,000
Opal[2,520]
60,480
Opal[2,810]
67,440
Magpie foragings[1.8]
26,845
Opal[3,090]
74,160
Magpie foragings[1.8]
26,845
Opal[3,500]
84,000
Magpie foragings[1.8]
26,845
Opal[3,720]
89,280
Magpie foragings[1.8]
26,845
Crafting XP
Crafting XP Total
35,720
39,640
42,664
45,912
49,048
53,640
56,104
Crafting XP by Item
Opal[1,900]
28,500
Crushed gem {opal}[1,900]
7,220
Opal[2,250]
33,750
Crushed gem {opal}[1,550]
5,890
Opal[2,520]
37,800
Crushed gem {opal}[1,280]
4,864
Opal[2,810]
42,150
Crushed gem {opal}[990]
3,762
Opal[3,090]
46,350
Crushed gem {opal}[710]
2,698
Opal[3,500]
52,500
Crushed gem {opal}[300]
1,140
Opal[3,720]
55,800
Crushed gem {opal}[80]
304
Skill Activity Ratings (Primary Skill)
Skill Activity Speed (SAS, XP/hr)
35,720
39,640
42,664
45,912
49,048
53,640
56,104
Skill Activity Profitability (SAP, gp/hr)
-37,999
-29,599
-23,119
7,902
14,622
24,462
29,742
Skill Activity Efficiency for 100k gp/hr Opp. Cost (SAE100k)
-3.86
-3.27
-2.89
-2.01
-1.74
-1.41
-1.25
Skill Activity Efficiency for 250k gp/hr Opp. Cost (SAE250k)
-8.06
-7.05
-6.40
-5.27
-4.80
-4.20
-3.93
Skill Activity Efficiency for 500k gp/hr Opp. Cost (SAE500k)
-15.06
-13.36
-12.26
-10.72
-9.90
-8.87
-8.38
Skill Activity Efficiency for 1M gp/hr Opp. Cost (SAE1M)
-29.06
-25.97
-23.98
-21.61
-20.09
-18.19
-17.29
Analysis, Discussion and Tips for Success
General Discussion
Semi-precious gems -- opals, jade and red topazes -- are special members only gems that enter the game primarily via the gem mining rocks in Shilo Village. Like true gems such as sapphires and emeralds, semi-precious gems begin in a rough form and can be cut for further use. Unlike real gems, though, they cannot be used to make jewelry -- their applications are limited to making crossbow bolt tips or selling the gems (for cash or trading sticks). Many players cut them solely for the Crafting XP they give, which is less than that given for true gems, but often comes at a lower cost.
Semi-precious gems are not as hard as real gems, which means there is a chance of the gem being crushed and destroyed each time you cut it. The chance of successfully cutting a semi-precious gem begins at around 50% at lower levels, and increases to close to 100% at extremely high levels of Crafting. When you fail to cut a gem you get a crushed gem and 1/4 of the normal cutting XP.
This failure chance means that semi-precious gem cutting is not nearly as cost-effective at lower levels as it is at higher levels. Therefore, I have described this method using level ranges that approximate the percentage chance of success for various Crafting levels (though these are only estimates).
Location and Access
You can cut gems at any bank, but a one-click bank is preferred. Castle Wars is my favorite; non-members can use the bank chest at the Duel Arena.
Required and Recommended Equipment
You need a chisel.
Required and Recommended Supplies
Just the gems you are cutting.
Familiar Suggestions
Summon a foraging familiar to earn extra money for you while you work -- I prefer the magpie, given the high value of rings and gems today. There isn't a really worthwhile forager below Summoning level 47, so I wouldn't bother with a familiar at lower levels.
Technique and Tips
Starting with a chisel in your inventory, withdraw a load of gems, then use the chisel on one of the gems. Right-click the gem in your chat box, choose "Make All" and wait. Bank, and repeat. It takes only about 25 seconds to do 27 gems, so you can do about 3,800 per hour. When you are done, you can note and drop the crushed gems, as they have very low value and can't be sold on the Grand Exchange.
All information based on Grand Exchange price data from: May 20, 2012. Note that the three-day delay in price updates is waived for RuneScoop members.
All information based on Grand Exchange price data from: May 20, 2012. Note that the three-day delay in price updates is waived for RuneScoop members. 
