How do I unlock the "The Jewel Trade" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To unlock "The Jewel Trade" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to visit the Zora's Domain and interact with a specific NPC. This quest revolves around trading luminous stones for a valuable reward, and it ties into the broader narrative of the Zora people and their relationship with Link. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to unlock and complete this quest, along with tips and strategies to make the process smoother.

First, you need to reach Zora's Domain, which is located in the Lanayru region. To get there, youÔÇÖll likely need to follow the main questline that leads you to meet Prince Sidon and eventually help the Zora by calming Divine Beast Vah Ruta. However, you donÔÇÖt need to complete the Divine Beast quest to unlock "The Jewel Trade." Once you arrive in Zora's Domain, head to the central area where youÔÇÖll find a Zora named Ledo. He is standing near a stone monument and is working on a sculpture. Speak to him, and he will explain that he needs luminous stones to complete his work. This conversation will officially start "The Jewel Trade" side quest.

Luminous stones are a type of ore that can be found throughout Hyrule, but they are particularly abundant in the Lanayru region. These stones glow faintly at night, making them easier to spot in the dark. You can mine luminous stones by using a weapon, bomb, or the Remote Bomb rune to break the ore deposits. Each deposit typically yields one or two luminous stones, so youÔÇÖll need to gather ten of them to complete the quest. Once you have the required stones, return to Ledo and give them to him. In exchange, he will reward you with a diamond, which is a valuable material used for crafting and upgrading certain armor sets.

One important tip is to gather luminous stones as you explore the Lanayru region. This area is rich in luminous stone deposits, especially around the cliffs and mountains near Zora's Domain. If youÔÇÖre short on luminous stones, you can also find them in other regions, such as the Gerudo Highlands or the Eldin Mountains, but Lanayru is the most convenient location. Additionally, luminous stones can sometimes be obtained by defeating Stone Taluses, which are mini-bosses that drop various ores when defeated. If you encounter a Stone Talus during your travels, itÔÇÖs worth taking the time to defeat it, as it can provide a quick source of luminous stones.

A common mistake players make is not keeping track of how many luminous stones they have collected. ItÔÇÖs easy to lose count, especially if youÔÇÖre gathering other materials at the same time. To avoid this, periodically check your inventory to see how many luminous stones youÔÇÖve collected. Another mistake is using up all your luminous stones for other purposes, such as selling them for rupees or using them in other quests. While luminous stones are valuable, itÔÇÖs a good idea to save at least ten of them specifically for "The Jewel Trade" quest.

For advanced players, thereÔÇÖs an optimization strategy involving the use of the Sheikah Sensor+. If youÔÇÖve upgraded your Sheikah Sensor at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, you can set it to detect luminous stones. This makes it much easier to locate ore deposits, especially in areas where they are less visible. Additionally, if you have the Master Cycle Zero from The ChampionsÔÇÖ Ballad DLC, you can use it to quickly travel between luminous stone deposits, saving time and effort.

Preparation for this quest is relatively straightforward. YouÔÇÖll need a weapon or bombs to break the ore deposits, so make sure you have at least one durable weapon or enough bomb arrows if you prefer using the Remote Bomb rune. ItÔÇÖs also a good idea to have some healing items on hand, as you may encounter enemies while gathering luminous stones. If youÔÇÖre planning to explore at night, consider wearing the Sheikah Set or using stealth-enhancing elixirs to avoid unnecessary combat.

An alternative approach to gathering luminous stones is to purchase them from traveling merchants or the Gerudo Town gem shop, though this can be expensive. If you have plenty of rupees to spare, this can be a quick way to complete the quest without needing to mine the stones yourself. However, this method is less efficient than gathering the stones through exploration, as it requires a significant amount of rupees.

In summary, "The Jewel Trade" is a straightforward side quest that rewards you with a diamond for collecting ten luminous stones. By following the steps outlined above, you can efficiently complete this quest and continue your journey through Hyrule. Whether you choose to gather the stones through exploration, defeat Stone Taluses, or purchase them from merchants, this quest offers a valuable reward that can aid you in your adventures.