Socketed Items!

[RandomPrecision]

Why not make 1-socketed items equal to a +1 enchantment? A sword socketed with a gem of flaming will end up being more expensive than a normal flaming sword, but I expect gems will be easier to find than flaming swords, so you'll have more possible customization.

Alternately, you could spit at Diablo II and make sockets undoable, so a 1-socket sword can function as either a fire or cold weapon, provided you had the gems available to switch. That probably lets the sword cost as much as a +1 enchanment while allowing the extra cost of the gems to provide a benefit.

 

[Nifelhein]

I have this book the Artficer's Handbook which has this kind of rule you want and they even suggest what an armor gem would work like in a weapon, really nice. The publisher is Mystic eye games and the writer is boards fellow die_klunge.

I like the book, focused toward alternate magi item creation methods and hey, it really makes it well, it allows you to create a system or modify one you already use. Sorry for the shameless plug, but I dont get anything for it.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Yes. In the Diablo 2: Diablerie book that came out a couple years ago, it had rules for making Diablo 2 type magic items.

I looked through this book but I couldn't find any rules on socketing. Are you sure you've got the right book?