In Clash of Clans, upgrading a Common hero equipment piece from level 1 to level 18 entirely with gems costs approximately 7,500 to 8,000 gems. Maxing an Epic piece from level 1 to level 27 entirely with gems costs roughly 23,000 to 25,000 gems.
Because buying an entire piece with gems carries an extremely high cash-equivalent cost, full gemming is inefficient for general progression. Instead, farm your ores through standard gameplay and reserve gems only for minor deficits before competitive events.
How the Blacksmith Calculates Equipment Gem Costs
Upgrading hero equipment in the Blacksmith requires three distinct currencies: Shiny Ore, Glowy Ore, and Starry Ore. If your storages lack the ore required for an upgrade, the game calculates the missing balance and offers to complete the upgrade instantly using raw gems.
Equipment upgrades differ from building construction and Laboratory research in several ways:
- Instant completion: Equipment upgrades finish immediately without consuming a builder or running a countdown timer. Gemming pays strictly for missing ore resources, not for skipped time.
- Independent ore rates: Each ore type converts at a different gem-to-resource exchange rate. Shiny Ore converts at a high volume per gem, whereas Starry Ore carries a heavy premium.
- Storage bypass: The transaction calculates only the deficit at the moment you tap upgrade. This bypasses your Blacksmith storage caps, allowing low-level storages to purchase high-level upgrades instantly if your gem balance covers the difference.
Common Equipment Gem Costs (Levels 1–18)
Common gear—such as the Barbarian King's Rage Vial, the Archer Queen's Invisibility Vial, and the Grand Warden's Eternal Tome—requires only Shiny Ore and Glowy Ore. It never requires Starry Ore.
Reaching level 18 requires:
- Shiny Ore: 27,260
- Glowy Ore: 1,926
- Starry Ore: 0
| Level Range | Shiny Ore Required | Glowy Ore Required | Approximate Gem Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levels 1–6 | 1,860 | 60 | ~600–700 |
| Levels 7–12 | 7,600 | 486 | ~2,000–2,200 |
| Levels 13–15 | 8,000 | 580 | ~2,200–2,400 |
| Levels 16–18 | 9,800 | 800 | ~2,700–2,900 |
The gem conversion stays low through level 8. Costs rise sharply starting at level 9 due to escalating Glowy Ore requirements, with levels 16 through 18 accounting for over a third of the total gem cost.
Epic Equipment Gem Costs (Levels 1–27)
Epic equipment—such as the Giant Gauntlet, Frozen Arrow, and Fireball—spans 27 levels and requires all three ore types.
Reaching level 27 requires:
- Shiny Ore: 56,060
- Glowy Ore: 3,720
- Starry Ore: 480
| Level Range | Shiny Ore Required | Glowy Ore Required | Starry Ore Required | Approximate Gem Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levels 1–9 | 6,560 | 360 | 0 | ~2,300–2,500 |
| Levels 10–18 | 20,700 | 1,560 | 110 | ~7,500–8,000 |
| Levels 19–24 | 16,800 | 1,000 | 210 | ~7,000–7,500 |
| Levels 25–27 | 12,000 | 800 | 160 | ~6,500–7,000 |
Starry Ore begins appearing at level 9 and recurs every three levels. Because Starry Ore has the steepest gem conversion cost, levels 24 through 27 require roughly 6,500 to 7,000 gems alone.
Recommended Ore Sourcing and Smart Gem Spending
Buying 23,000 to 25,000 gems directly from the shop represents roughly $170 to $200 USD for a single maxed Epic item. Because ores are steadily obtainable through regular play, you should avoid buying equipment levels from scratch.
Farm Natural Sources First
Prioritize free ore income to keep your gem balance intact:
- Daily Star Bonuses: Earn consistent Shiny and Glowy Ore by securing stars in higher multiplayer leagues.
- Clan Wars: Win regular Clan Wars to secure Glowy and Starry Ore payouts.
- Special Events: Complete limited-time event tracks for bulk Starry Ore drops.
- The Trader: Spend weekly Raid Medals from the Clan Capital on ore selections rather than using gems.
When to Spend Gems
Limit gem usage to tactical micro-upgrades:
- CWL Breakpoints: If Clan War Leagues are starting and you are short 10 to 30 Glowy or Starry Ore for a major milestone (such as level 15, 18, 21, 24, or 27), spending 100 to 300 gems immediately secures the stat boost.
- Preventing Storage Waste: If your Shiny Ore storage is full but a small deficit of Glowy Ore blocks you from upgrading, spend a minimal gem amount to start the upgrade and keep collecting Star Bonus rewards without overflowing.
What to Avoid
- Never gem Shiny Ore: Shiny Ore is the most abundant resource and replenishes quickly through routine daily attacks.
- Avoid gemming early Epic levels: Levels 1 through 15 on Epic gear require relatively modest farming. Save your gems for high-impact progression items like the Builder Apprentice or Book of Heroes.
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Sarah Williams
Sarah specializes in RPG and collection games, explaining team building, character growth, and beginner-friendly ways to avoid expensive early mistakes.
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Player Comments
29 players commented on this guide.
Good guide for Clash of Clans players. The heroes part was useful.
The explanation is clear, especially for beginners.
Can you add more details about heroes in a future update?
The tips are practical and easy to follow.