Trade gems, build a jewel empire, court the nobles
Play Gem Merchants online free
The classic gem-trading engine builder for 2–4: collect gems, buy mines and shops that make every next purchase cheaper, and race to 15 points before your rivals.
No sign-up, no download: play bots right now or share a 4-letter code with your friends.
Or download the app
Players
2-4
Length
30 min
Difficulty
Medium
Mode
Competitive
What is Gem Merchants?
Gem traders racing to 15 points. Buy cards that make every next purchase cheaper and win over the nobles. 2–4 players.
If you have played Splendor, you already know the idea: Gem Merchants is inspired by it and adapted to play online, everyone on their own phone, with bots for missing players.
Splendor is a trademark of its publisher. Apateon is not affiliated with or endorsed by it.
Gem Merchants on Apateon
How to play Gem Merchants
- 1On your turn take three gems of different colours, take two of one colour, or reserve a card and take a gold.
- 2Or buy a card. Every card you own is a permanent one-gem discount in its colour, so your purchases get cheaper and cheaper.
- 3Nobles visit whoever collects the cards they admire. Reach 15 points and the round is played out — most points wins.
Full Gem Merchants rules
On your turn
- •Do exactly one thing: take gems, reserve a card, or buy a card.
Taking gems
- •Take three gems of different colours, or two of the same colour if at least four of it are left in the bank. Never gold.
- •You may hold 10 gems at most: put the extras back at the end of your turn.
Reserving and buying
- •Reserve: take a card from the market (or the top of a deck, unseen) into your hand, plus one gold if any are left. You can hold 3 reserved cards.
- •Buy: pay for a card from the market or your reserve. Each card you own is a permanent discount of one gem of its colour. Gold pays for any gem.
Nobles
- •At the end of your turn a noble visits you if you own the cards it asks for. It is worth 3 points. Only one noble per turn.
Winning
- •When someone reaches 15 points, the round is played out so everyone has had the same number of turns.
- •Most points wins. On a tie, whoever bought fewer cards wins.
Tips to win at Gem Merchants
- •Buy cheap cards early: each one is a permanent discount that makes the next purchase cheaper.
- •Check what the nobles want: holding cards in those colours earns 3 points without spending an action.
- •Reserve an expensive card you will need: you also take a gold, which counts as any gem.
- •Do not hoard gems without a plan: you can hold only 10 and must return the extras.
Why Apateon
One code for the whole night
One room, one 4-letter code, every game. Switch games without inviting anyone again.
No account
Type your name and play. No sign-up, no passwords.
Bots fill empty seats
Missing someone? A bot takes the seat so you can start right away.
Phone and web
Some play from the app, others from a browser — all in the same game.
If you like Gem Merchants, try
FAQ
How many points do you need to win Gem Merchants?
15. When someone gets there, the round is played out so everyone has had the same number of turns, and the most points wins.
What happens if there is a tie?
Whoever bought fewer cards wins.
When can I take two gems of the same colour?
Only if at least 4 of that colour are left in the bank. Otherwise you take three gems of different colours.
How many people can play Gem Merchants?
Gem Merchants plays with 2 to 4 players. If you are short, Apateon fills the empty seats with bots.
How long is a game of Gem Merchants?
A full game takes about 30 minutes.
Can I play Gem Merchants online for free?
Yes. Gem Merchants is free in your browser and in the Apateon app, with no sign-up.
Is Gem Merchants like Splendor?
It is inspired by Splendor: the same idea, adapted to play online for free, everyone on their own phone, with bots for missing players.
Do we all need to be in the same place?
No. Everyone uses their own phone or computer, so you can play around one table or remotely, for example over a video call.