When you play Path of Exile 2, you will often pick up skill gems and wonder whether they are worth upgrading with a Gemcutter’s Prism (GCP). Because GCPs are valuable PoE 2 items, using them wisely can help your character grow faster and save you resources. Below is a simple, clear guide—on how to judge whether a gem deserves a GCP, plus some real gameplay tips you can actually use.

First, check if the gem is a main skill gem you use all the time. For example, if your whole build depends on one big damage skill, that gem is usually worth a GCP. A main skill that you cast hundreds of times every map will give you more value from higher quality. This is especially true for skills where quality gives direct damage boosts, such as increased damage, attack speed, or better area coverage. Since many players like to buy PoE 2 items to upgrade faster, knowing which gem to improve helps avoid wasting currency.

Next, look at what the gem’s quality bonus actually gives. Not all gems get stronger in the same way. Some benefit from damage, some from speed, and some from utility like longer duration or higher effect. Before you use a GCP, hover over the gem and read the quality bonus. If the bonus directly helps your build, it’s a good target. If the bonus is unrelated to your playstyle, save your GCP for another gem instead of rushing to buy PoE 2 items to fix a mistake later.

Another important step is checking the gem’s level and future use. If the gem is low level but you know it will stay in your final build, upgrading early is fine. But if you’re not sure, try using the gem for a few maps first. In PoE 2, testing is easy—swap gems in and out and see if your gameplay feels smoother. Only use a GCP when you’re confident the gem belongs in your long-term setup. This keeps your PoE 2 items budget healthy so that when you really need to buy PoE 2 items for upgrades, you’ll have enough currency ready.

Also think about support gems. Many support gems gain strong benefits from quality, especially those that boost speed, damage over time, or special effects. If a support gem improves everything your main skill does, upgrading it can give a bigger power jump than upgrading the main gem itself. A simple trick: check which gem gives the biggest number change when its quality increases.

For players who want a shortcut, you can also look at community markets like u4gm to see which high-quality gems other players value most. Popular gems usually give strong bonuses and are safe choices for using a GCP.

Here is a quick, practical plan you can follow every time:

  1. Ask: “Is this my main gem or main support?”

  2. Read the quality bonus and see if it helps your build directly.

  3. Test the gem in maps before upgrading.

  4. Compare which gem gives the largest improvement from quality.

  5. Save GCPs for endgame gems you will use for a long time.

By following these steps, you’ll use your GCPs wisely, strengthen your character smoothly, and make your PoE 2 items work harder for you. This simple method keeps your upgrades efficient and helps you grow stronger without wasting valuable resources.