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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cap'n Kobold" data-source="post: 7263340" data-attributes="member: 6802951">A 5000gp diamond is on the high end, so is probably a large diamond of the type that might be the centrepiece for a crown or throne I'd guess. But yes, making a plain setting rather than an artistic piece should take as long as the setting is worth and then you can add the setting price to the gem price to get the total value. Cutting the larger gemstones can and has taken years for RL gems. - probably longer with medieval level technology. Its more likely several months for a master gemcutter and a couple of apprentices though: a 'year in man-hours' similar to the way plate armour would be made.Expensive gems like that are probably made by gemcutters under the patronage of a master rather than just a shopfront. Perhaps a wealthy merchant wishing to speculate on value or a noble wanting a work of art to display. Or a kobold working the gem for its dragon master perhaps. "Materials" includes all the expenses of production. Coal, candles, replacement tools, hire of more specialised work or goods, blanks and prototype pieces, paper and ink for the planning stage, wastage of pieces that didn't make the grade, paying for the forge etc.Its everything that goes into the running costs. Not just the metal that makes up the final product.</blockquote>