Match-3 Glossary
Match-3 Glossary: Every GemGame Term Explained
New to match-3, or just want to know exactly what a striped, wrapped or rainbow gem does? This glossary defines the key terms you will meet in GemGame, from special gems and cascades to stars, boosters and the Celestial Pass. Skim it before a tricky level or use it to settle a debate about which special is strongest.
Special gems
Special gems are created by matching more than three gems at once. They are the heart of high-scoring play.
- Striped gem
- Created by matching four gems in a straight line. When activated, a striped gem clears an entire row or column. A horizontal match tends to produce a striped gem that clears across; a vertical match clears down. Use them to punch through goals that sit along a single line.
- Wrapped gem
- Created with an L-shaped or T-shaped match (five gems that turn a corner). A wrapped gem bursts everything in a 3x3 area, then bursts a second time after the gems settle, so it hits the same neighbourhood twice. It is excellent for clearing clustered objectives or stubborn pockets of the board.
- Rainbow gem (colour bomb)
- Created by matching five gems in a straight line. The rainbow gem, also called a colour bomb, does nothing on its own. Swap it onto any ordinary gem and it removes every gem of that colour from the board at once. Swapping it onto your most common colour clears the most gems.
Special-gem combinations
Combining two special gems together is the strongest single move in the game.
- Special-gem combination
- Swapping two adjacent special gems triggers a combined effect that is bigger than either gem alone. Common pairings include:
- Striped + striped clears a full row and a full column at once.
- Striped + wrapped creates a thick cross that clears three rows and three columns.
- Wrapped + wrapped produces an oversized double burst across a wide area.
- Rainbow + striped turns every gem of one colour into striped gems, then fires them all.
- Rainbow + wrapped turns every gem of one colour into wrapped gems and detonates them.
- Rainbow + rainbow clears the entire board, the single most powerful move available.
Board mechanics
What happens after you make a match, and how moves chain together.
- Cascade
- When matched gems clear, the gems above them fall to fill the gaps and new gems drop in from the top. If those falling gems form fresh matches, they clear automatically too. This chain reaction is a cascade, and it can keep going through several rounds from a single swap, racking up extra points and progress for free.
- Combo
- A combo is the act of activating two special gems together (see special-gem combinations above), or more loosely a streak of matches and cascades triggered by one move. Bigger combos mean more clears, higher scores and faster goal completion.
Level goals
Every level sets one or more objectives you must finish within a limited number of moves.
- Score goal
- Reach a target point total before you run out of moves. Cascades and special gems are the fastest way to pile up points.
- Collect goal
- Gather a set number of specific items or gem colours. Aim your matches and specials at the gems the level asks for.
- Clear goal
- Remove every piece of a particular board obstacle or tile. Striped and wrapped gems are ideal for reaching awkward corners.
- Move limit
- The fixed number of swaps you have to meet the goal. There is no move timer in GemGame, so you can plan each move at your own pace.
Stars and rewards
How well you finish a level decides what you earn.
- Stars
- Each level is rated one, two or three stars based on your final score. Stars are a currency you spend in the Garden to restore celestial districts such as the Starlight Promenade and Moonpetal Square, which unlock perks that boost future puzzle runs.
- Garden
- A restoration area where you spend earned stars to rebuild celestial districts. Completed districts grant lasting perks, giving you a reason to chase three stars rather than just passing a level.
Boosters and helpers
Optional aids that give you an edge before or during a level.
- Hammer
- A booster that removes a single gem or obstacle of your choice, with no match required. Perfect for that one piece blocking a clear.
- Shuffle
- A booster that rearranges every gem on the board, handy when you cannot spot a useful move or want a fresh layout.
- Extra Moves
- A booster that adds moves so you can finish a goal you were just short of completing.
- Hint
- An on-demand suggestion that highlights a valid move when you are stuck, so you never hit a dead end.
Progression
How attempts and longer-term rewards work outside of a single level.
- Lives
- Attempts that are spent to start a level and refill over time for free. There are no ads, and you are never forced to pay to continue — when you run out, wait for your lives to top up at no cost, or keep playing levels you have already cleared.
- Coins
- An in-game currency earned through play and used in the booster shop. GemGame has no ads and no forced purchases.
- Celestial Pass
- A seasonal reward ladder with a free track and an optional premium track. As you play and complete missions you climb the ladder and collect rewards. The free track is open to everyone; the premium track adds extra rewards for players who want them.
Ready to put the terms into practice? Sharpen your play with our strategy pages, or check the FAQ for quick answers.
More reading: Beginner's Guide · Tips & Strategy · FAQ.