Wizard101's Socketing and Jewels: A Guide

The Wizard101 Test Realm includes a huge new feature: sockets. These are open jewel slots on gear in which particular jewels can be attached to add stats to gear. But, it's a complicated system with a number of catches.

Socketing Terminology

Affixing and shattering jewels. Locked sockets and socket wrenches. It can all be a little confusing. Before I begin, familiarize yourself which what each one actually means.

Affixing - what is done when combining a jewel and an item
Socketing - the process of combining jewels and items
Shattering - destroying an old jewel attached to an item
Jewel - a special item that is dropped or crafted to be attached to another item
Socket - an available slot on an item in which a jewel can be placed
Socket Wrench - dropped item that unlocks sockets

Socketing Walkthrough

I am going to walk you through the process in a series of questions, beginning with the very basics and how you start and ending with more complex questions.

How do I get started?

Jewel drop

To use the socketing system in Wizard101, you must be at least level 15 and you must have completed the Wizard City crafting quest from Eudora Tangletree. Once you meet these requirements, talk to Eloise in the Commons to begin the quest that allows you to socket jewels.

Where do I get jewels?

Jewels come from bosses around the Spiral. They may also come from certain chests, as "treasure troves" is unspecific. The jewel vendor in Wizard City also mentions "lost hoards," which seems to indicate that there will be packs with jewels in the near future.

How do I affix jewels?

Assuming you've completed the introduction quest, open you backpack to the item you want. You can affix jewels to Athames, Amulets, Rings, and Decks. Down by the trash and equip buttons, you'll see one with jewels. Click on that one. You'll get a screen like the one up top.

Now you can tab through your different jewels and select one that works with your item, then click the "affix" button. Be warned, though, this can't be undone!

Why can't I affix certain jewels?

You cannot affix jewels to an item you cannot equip, even if you will be able to equip it later and don't meet the level requirement. You may also find that the types of sockets in your item don't match the type of jewel you are attempting to affix. There must be an available shape that matches. The final possibility is that your socket spot on the item is locked, and must be unlocked before use.

Unable to affix - no square socket available

Who sells jewel recipes?

Jewel recipes are sold by vendors across the Spiral: Katherine Rockhammer and Eudora Tangletree in Wizard City, Wul’yahm in Krokotopia, Felicia Worthington in Marleybone, Toshio in Mooshu, Bathazar Dragonthorn in Dragonspyre, Aegeus in Celestia, Marwa Jadetusk in Zafaria, Shane Macgobhann in Avalon, Yaxche in Azteca and Wozina the Edgecutter in Khrysalis.

What are random crafting recipes?

The random recipes with jewel crafting mean you get a jewel of that tier and school, but what it gives it not for certain. If you have a level 35 onyx recipe, you'll get a level 35+ Death jewel, but it could be for resistance, damage, accuracy, or any other stat specific to Death.

How do I craft jewels?

Jewels are crafted on a Jewel Crafting Station, which you receive as a reward from the introduction quest. Place this in your home and operate it like any other crafting station.

Where are my jewels stored?

Jewels are stored with you, but not in your backpack. Click the top right arrow to change from items to housing items, and so on, until you hit jewels. You can hold up to 100 at a time, and all of your jewels stay here.

Unlocking sockets on a level 100+ item

What are locked sockets?

Some items have socket spaces that show a lock over them. This is one reason you might not be able to affix a jewel that you have a spot for. Most items come with at least some of their sockets locked, meaning not everything is available to begin with.

How do I unlock locked sockets?

You can unlock locked sockets one of two ways. The first is with a socket wrench. These are dropped from bosses across the Spiral, and vary in degree. The higher level your item and the more sockets, the more advanced of a socket wrench you will need. Alternatively, you can pay crowns to unlock all of the sockets. The price scales with the level of the item, but you shouldn't normally pay over 150 crowns to unlock all of your sockets.

Where do I get socket wrenches?

Socket wrenches are dropped from bosses in the Spiral. They come in five forms: Novice, Adept, Expert, Master, and Artisan. They can be placed as decorations in your house or used to unlock locked sockets. The boss's level will determine what degree of socket wrench you receive. Lower level bosses typically drop Novice or Adept socket wrenches, while someone like Morganthe drops Artisan socket wrenches.

Two locked sockets to no locked sockets to all four full sockets

Can I trade socket items and jewels?

Yes, and no. The idea is that a socketed item is unique to every player, and that includes on your account. That means they don't want you to choose one play style for every wizard and make one item that you shift around. You can put jewels and items with socket slots in your shared bank, but you can not trade items that have jewels in the sockets already.

What happens if I sell an item with jewels?

If you sell an item with jewels to a vendor, both the jewels and item are lost. If you sell the item to the Bazaar, all of the jewels inside of it are destroyed and only the item is available to be purchased by other wizards. My recommendation is to lock all of your items which have jewels in them.

How do I take a jewel out of an item?

Once a jewel is in an item, you will never be able to affix that jewel to another item. The only way to get it out of your current one is to open the item in the socketing window using the button next to trash and equip, and to click on a jewel and choose "Shatter." This will destroy the jewel (you will not get it back), and leave the spot open to add a new jewel.

Jewel Differences

Jewel names are a big hint to what they give. Here are a few quick charts outlining it.

Level Restriction Cracked -15+ Chipped - 25+ Flawed - 35+ Blemished - 45+ Dull - 55+ Plain - 65+ Opaque - 75+ Clear - 85+ Polished - 95+ Lustrous -105+

Bonus Damage - Damage Defense - Resistance Critical - Critical Blocking - Critical Block Piercing - Armor Piercing Health - Health Mana - Mana Accurate - Accuracy Fishing - Fishing Luck [Spell Name] - Spell Card Mending - Outgoing Healing Pip - Power Pip Chance Resilient - Stun Resistance

School Amethyst - Storm Ruby - Fire Sapphire - Ice Citrine - Balance Onyx - Death Peridot - Myth Jade - Life Opal - Any Hematite - Shadow

What other questions do you have about socketing? Have you tried it out yet?

Thanks for reading and see you in the Spiral!

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