What is the reward for finishing the "The Jewel Trade" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "The Jewel Trade" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a relatively simple quest that involves trading a valuable gemstone for a unique reward. This quest is found in the Gerudo Town, which is located in the Gerudo Desert region of Hyrule. To start the quest, you need to speak with an NPC named Ledo, who is a jeweler working in the town. Ledo is located near the entrance of Gerudo Town, and he will explain that he is in need of a specific gemstone to complete a piece of jewelry. The gemstone he requires is a luminous stone, which is a relatively common material found throughout Hyrule.

To complete the quest, you need to bring Ledo ten luminous stones. Luminous stones can be found in various locations, but they are most commonly found in the Eldin and Lanayru regions. These stones are often found in clusters on the sides of cliffs or mountains, and they emit a faint glow, making them easier to spot at night. Once you have collected ten luminous stones, return to Ledo in Gerudo Town and give them to him. In exchange, he will reward you with a diamond, which is one of the most valuable gemstones in the game.

The mechanics of this quest are straightforward, but there are a few important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, luminous stones are not the rarest material in the game, but they can still be somewhat time-consuming to collect if you don't know where to look. One efficient way to gather luminous stones is to visit the cliffs around Zora's Domain, as this area is rich in luminous stone deposits. Additionally, using the Sheikah Sensor+ to detect luminous stones can save you a lot of time, especially if you have already registered a luminous stone in your Hyrule Compendium.

Another important consideration is the value of the luminous stones versus the diamond you receive as a reward. Luminous stones are worth 70 rupees each, so ten luminous stones would be worth 700 rupees if sold to a merchant. A diamond, on the other hand, is worth 500 rupees. This means that, from a purely economic standpoint, you are losing 200 rupees by completing this quest. However, diamonds are also used in certain armor upgrades and crafting recipes, so the value of the diamond may be higher depending on your current needs.

One common mistake players make is not having enough luminous stones when they first encounter Ledo. It's a good idea to stock up on luminous stones before heading to Gerudo Town, as this will allow you to complete the quest immediately without having to backtrack. Additionally, some players may not realize that they can use the Sheikah Sensor+ to locate luminous stones, which can significantly speed up the collection process.

For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can make to streamline the process of completing this quest. One strategy is to use a weapon with a high mining power, such as a sledgehammer or a Goron weapon, to quickly break apart luminous stone deposits. This will allow you to gather the stones more efficiently. Additionally, if you have the Master Cycle Zero from The Champions' Ballad DLC, you can use it to quickly travel between luminous stone deposits, saving time on foot travel.

In terms of alternative approaches, some players may choose to skip this quest entirely if they are focused on maximizing their rupee income. As mentioned earlier, selling the luminous stones directly to a merchant will yield more rupees than trading them for a diamond. However, if you are in need of a diamond for crafting or upgrading purposes, completing the quest is a viable option.

In conclusion, "The Jewel Trade" is a simple yet rewarding side quest that offers a unique opportunity to obtain a valuable diamond. By following the steps outlined above and keeping the tips and considerations in mind, you can efficiently complete this quest and add a diamond to your inventory. Whether you choose to complete the quest for the diamond or sell the luminous stones for rupees, this quest is a great example of the many optional activities that make The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild such a rich and engaging experience.