OSRS Mining Guide 52–99: Gem Rocks as a Profitable and Pet-Hunting Alternative
In the vast and grind-heavy world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), players constantly seek out the most efficient, engaging, and rewarding methods to level their skills. When it comes to training Mining from level 52 all the way to 99, one often-overlooked yet highly rewarding method is Mining Gem Rocks. Not only does this method offer respectable experience per hour, but it also boasts excellent profitability and the best chance in the OSRS Gold game at acquiring the coveted Rock Golem pet—making it a top-tier option for dedicated miners.
Whether you’re an Ironman in need of Crafting materials, a pet hunter chasing rare companions, or a player aiming for high-efficiency XP gains with a side of profit, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Mining Gem Rocks from levels 52 to 99.
Why Choose Gem Rocks from 52 to 99?
At first glance, Gem Rocks may seem like a slower or more obscure method compared to power mining Granite in the desert or the fast-paced tick manipulation methods involving iron ore. However, what sets Gem Rocks apart is their unique blend of XP, profit, and pet opportunity. When combined with Scale Manipulation or other tick-efficient methods, Gem Rocks can match—or even surpass—more popular training methods in both XP and gold earned per hour.
Key Advantages:
Fastest Rock Golem pet method in the game (thanks to high rock depletion and quick cycles)
Consistent profits from uncut gems like opals, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and red topaz
Access to the Shilo Village underground mine with banking nearby for optimal efficiency
Highly sustainable and low-intensity training once set up properly
Ideal for Ironman accounts due to Crafting utility of gems
Requirements to Mine Gem Rocks
Before you grab your pickaxe and teleport to Karamja, you’ll need to ensure you meet a few requirements to access the underground portion of the Shilo Village Mine, where Gem Rocks reside.
Mandatory Requirements:
Mining Level 52: This is the base level needed to mine Gem Rocks.
Completion of the Karamja Hard Diary: This unlocks access to the underground Gem Rock area and includes:
Completion of Shilo Village quest
Partial progress in Legends’ Quest
Charged Amulet of Glory: Essential for teleporting quickly to Karamja and improving gem-finding chances when equipped.
Pickaxe (preferably Dragon or higher): Use the best pickaxe you can equip for faster mining cycles.
Strongly Recommended:
Gem Bag (200 Tithe Farm points or bought with Slayer points): Stores uncut gems, greatly reducing bank trips.
Stamina potions: If you don’t use a bank chest nearby, these help reduce travel fatigue.
Weight-reducing gear: Graceful outfit or similar, to keep your run energy up.
Tick Manipulation Knowledge (Scale Manipulation or 3-tick Granite click method): Optional, but significantly improves XP/hr.
How to Get to the Gem Rocks
Here’s the fastest and most efficient route to start mining Gem Rocks:
Use Amulet of Glory (Karamja Teleport): Teleports you close to the village.
Enter Shilo Village and go underground: Access the cave system unlocked from the Karamja Diary.
Find the Gem Rocks cluster: You’ll locate around 7–9 Gem Rocks grouped together.
Start mining: Click between rocks and drop or bag your gems, depending on your setup.
There’s also a bank chest nearby, which drastically improves your banking efficiency—especially for players not using a Gem Bag.
Gem Rocks XP Rates and Profits
The XP and GP rates from Gem Rocks vary based on whether you’re using tick manipulation. Here's what you can expect:
Without Tick Manipulation:
XP Rates: 20,000–30,000 XP/hr
GP Rates: 300,000–500,000 GP/hr (depending on gem prices)
With Scale Manipulation or 3-tick Mining:
XP Rates: 50,000–65,000 XP/hr (comparable to Granite or Iron)
GP Rates: 500,000–800,000 GP/hr
The XP isn't quite as explosive as some higher-end methods, but the consistent gold income, low click intensity, and chance at a Rock Golem pet make up for it.
Best Gems to Look Out For
While Gem Rocks can provide a wide variety of gems, the following are the most notable:
Opal, Jade, Red Topaz – Used in low-level crafting, sellable to other players or NPCs.
Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Diamond – Valuable for enchanting and crafting, always in demand.
Dragonstone and Onyx – Extremely rare but lucrative drops.
If you're an Ironman, the crafting potential alone makes this method worthwhile.
The Rock Golem Pet – Why It Matters
Gem Rocks offer the fastest method of obtaining the Rock Golem pet in all of OSRS. The pet drop rate is based on the number of rocks mined, not XP gained. Because Gem Rocks respawn quickly and are mined rapidly (especially with tick manipulation), this method results in more rolls at the pet compared to methods like Granite or Amethyst.
This makes it the top method for pet hunters, especially those who don't want to risk death at places like the Volcanic Mine.
Recommended Strategy
Here's a suggested loop for efficient Gem Rock mining:
Teleport to Karamja via Amulet of Glory
Enter underground Gem Rock area
Mine rocks using tick manipulation
Bag or bank gems every few minutes
Repeat
Aim to mine for at least 30–45 minutes per session to make the most of stamina potions and teleports.
Ironman Bonus: Crafting and Alchemy
Ironman players especially benefit from Gem Rock mining. The gems gained can be:
Cut for Crafting XP
Used in teleports (e.g., Games Necklace, Ring of Dueling)
High Alched for solid gold returns
Used for bolt tips for ranged training
Gem Rocks essentially offer a dual-skilling opportunity for Iron accounts, allowing you to efficiently train Mining and Crafting simultaneously.
Final Thoughts: Is Gem Rock Mining Worth It?
If you're looking for a balanced approach to 99 Mining—one that combines XP, pet chance, and profit—Gem Rocks are absolutely worth your time. While tick manipulation pushes this method into competitive XP territory, even without it, Gem Rock mining remains a relaxing and profitable alternative.
For pet collectors, Ironman crafters, and players who prefer a more engaging and less click-intensive grind, Gem Rocks are one of OSRS’s hidden gems (pun intended). And if you need a little boost along the way, consider using rsorder to grab some
RuneScape Gold —delivered fast and securely to enhance your RuneScape journey.
In the vast and grind-heavy world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), players constantly seek out the most efficient, engaging, and rewarding methods to level their skills. When it comes to training Mining from level 52 all the way to 99, one often-overlooked yet highly rewarding method is Mining Gem Rocks. Not only does this method offer respectable experience per hour, but it also boasts excellent profitability and the best chance in the OSRS Gold game at acquiring the coveted Rock Golem pet—making it a top-tier option for dedicated miners.
Whether you’re an Ironman in need of Crafting materials, a pet hunter chasing rare companions, or a player aiming for high-efficiency XP gains with a side of profit, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Mining Gem Rocks from levels 52 to 99.
Why Choose Gem Rocks from 52 to 99?
At first glance, Gem Rocks may seem like a slower or more obscure method compared to power mining Granite in the desert or the fast-paced tick manipulation methods involving iron ore. However, what sets Gem Rocks apart is their unique blend of XP, profit, and pet opportunity. When combined with Scale Manipulation or other tick-efficient methods, Gem Rocks can match—or even surpass—more popular training methods in both XP and gold earned per hour.
Key Advantages:
Fastest Rock Golem pet method in the game (thanks to high rock depletion and quick cycles)
Consistent profits from uncut gems like opals, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and red topaz
Access to the Shilo Village underground mine with banking nearby for optimal efficiency
Highly sustainable and low-intensity training once set up properly
Ideal for Ironman accounts due to Crafting utility of gems
Requirements to Mine Gem Rocks
Before you grab your pickaxe and teleport to Karamja, you’ll need to ensure you meet a few requirements to access the underground portion of the Shilo Village Mine, where Gem Rocks reside.
Mandatory Requirements:
Mining Level 52: This is the base level needed to mine Gem Rocks.
Completion of the Karamja Hard Diary: This unlocks access to the underground Gem Rock area and includes:
Completion of Shilo Village quest
Partial progress in Legends’ Quest
Charged Amulet of Glory: Essential for teleporting quickly to Karamja and improving gem-finding chances when equipped.
Pickaxe (preferably Dragon or higher): Use the best pickaxe you can equip for faster mining cycles.
Strongly Recommended:
Gem Bag (200 Tithe Farm points or bought with Slayer points): Stores uncut gems, greatly reducing bank trips.
Stamina potions: If you don’t use a bank chest nearby, these help reduce travel fatigue.
Weight-reducing gear: Graceful outfit or similar, to keep your run energy up.
Tick Manipulation Knowledge (Scale Manipulation or 3-tick Granite click method): Optional, but significantly improves XP/hr.
How to Get to the Gem Rocks
Here’s the fastest and most efficient route to start mining Gem Rocks:
Use Amulet of Glory (Karamja Teleport): Teleports you close to the village.
Enter Shilo Village and go underground: Access the cave system unlocked from the Karamja Diary.
Find the Gem Rocks cluster: You’ll locate around 7–9 Gem Rocks grouped together.
Start mining: Click between rocks and drop or bag your gems, depending on your setup.
There’s also a bank chest nearby, which drastically improves your banking efficiency—especially for players not using a Gem Bag.
Gem Rocks XP Rates and Profits
The XP and GP rates from Gem Rocks vary based on whether you’re using tick manipulation. Here's what you can expect:
Without Tick Manipulation:
XP Rates: 20,000–30,000 XP/hr
GP Rates: 300,000–500,000 GP/hr (depending on gem prices)
With Scale Manipulation or 3-tick Mining:
XP Rates: 50,000–65,000 XP/hr (comparable to Granite or Iron)
GP Rates: 500,000–800,000 GP/hr
The XP isn't quite as explosive as some higher-end methods, but the consistent gold income, low click intensity, and chance at a Rock Golem pet make up for it.
Best Gems to Look Out For
While Gem Rocks can provide a wide variety of gems, the following are the most notable:
Opal, Jade, Red Topaz – Used in low-level crafting, sellable to other players or NPCs.
Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Diamond – Valuable for enchanting and crafting, always in demand.
Dragonstone and Onyx – Extremely rare but lucrative drops.
If you're an Ironman, the crafting potential alone makes this method worthwhile.
The Rock Golem Pet – Why It Matters
Gem Rocks offer the fastest method of obtaining the Rock Golem pet in all of OSRS. The pet drop rate is based on the number of rocks mined, not XP gained. Because Gem Rocks respawn quickly and are mined rapidly (especially with tick manipulation), this method results in more rolls at the pet compared to methods like Granite or Amethyst.
This makes it the top method for pet hunters, especially those who don't want to risk death at places like the Volcanic Mine.
Recommended Strategy
Here's a suggested loop for efficient Gem Rock mining:
Teleport to Karamja via Amulet of Glory
Enter underground Gem Rock area
Mine rocks using tick manipulation
Bag or bank gems every few minutes
Repeat
Aim to mine for at least 30–45 minutes per session to make the most of stamina potions and teleports.
Ironman Bonus: Crafting and Alchemy
Ironman players especially benefit from Gem Rock mining. The gems gained can be:
Cut for Crafting XP
Used in teleports (e.g., Games Necklace, Ring of Dueling)
High Alched for solid gold returns
Used for bolt tips for ranged training
Gem Rocks essentially offer a dual-skilling opportunity for Iron accounts, allowing you to efficiently train Mining and Crafting simultaneously.
Final Thoughts: Is Gem Rock Mining Worth It?
If you're looking for a balanced approach to 99 Mining—one that combines XP, pet chance, and profit—Gem Rocks are absolutely worth your time. While tick manipulation pushes this method into competitive XP territory, even without it, Gem Rock mining remains a relaxing and profitable alternative.
For pet collectors, Ironman crafters, and players who prefer a more engaging and less click-intensive grind, Gem Rocks are one of OSRS’s hidden gems (pun intended). And if you need a little boost along the way, consider using rsorder to grab some
RuneScape Gold —delivered fast and securely to enhance your RuneScape journey.
Comments (0)