Gems

Gems are used mainly for reducing the cooldown period to zero. When you upgrade a building, levy or upgrade technology, it is finished instantly but you can't do the same action again until its cooldown reaches zero. You can spend gems to instantly reduce the cooldown period to zero.

Getting Gems

Gems can be bought using real money or gotten through taxing people.

Buying Gems

Gems can be bought from the recharge menu. Recharging more will increase your VIP level thus unlocking new options.

Gems through Taxing

You can upgrade the Palace and get more houses which will get you more Gems when taxing. However, every once in a while, you can get 10 Gems from taxing instead. A higher XXX level would give you a bigger chance of getting Gems from taxing. The probability of getting Gems from taxing is currently unknown, but it is understood to be extremely low.