Gem Homeworld

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Gem Homeworld
Information
Inhabitants	Homeworld Gems
Appearances
First	"Mirror Gem" (mentioned)

The "Gem Homeworld", or simply "Homeworld", is the home planet of the Gem race and center of the Gems' interplanetary empire. It was first mentioned in "Mirror Gem".

Description

Little is known about the Gem Homeworld, including its exact history, culture, location and/or society. It is known however that Homeworld is a matriarchal society ruled by The Great Diamond Authority. Homeworld is a planet in a distant galaxy, which maintains a large empire of colony worlds, and constantly seeks to expand, as seen in "It Could've Been Great"; once suitable planets are located, they are exploited through facilities like the Kindergarten and then terraformed to be made suitable for Gem settlement, which would involve eliminating any pre-existing life on the planet.

In "Log Date 7 15 2", Garnet mentioned that the Gem Homeworld is in a separate galaxy (not the Milky Way Galaxy that Earth is in).

A strict caste system exists based on gemstone, predetermining every Gem's role within society. Deviation from the given social norms is harshly punished; For instance, when Ruby accidentally fused with Sapphire, Ruby was sentenced to be shattered by Blue Diamond in "The Answer". Aside from the caste system, Gems on Homeworld are also divided into factions based on which Diamond they serve under.

Homeworld is highly technologically advanced, achieving intergalactic travel thousands of years prior to the beginning of Steven Universe, and, according to Lapis Lazuli, has become even more advanced since The Rebellion to the point of being unrecognizable to when Lapis left, now possessing technology such as the Gem Warship and Gem Destabilizers. This advanced technology greatly contrasts the old and decrepit ancient Gem technology left on Earth, which Peridot considers archaic.

Homeworld's imperialistic and exploitative society indicates they're possibly a warlike and expansionist society bent on wiping out organic life. Another possibility is that they simply don't care about non-Gem life forms, seeing them as inferior. The Gems primarily came to Earth for the reasons of building a colony and later destroying it after the rebellion.

History

"Mirror Gem"/"Ocean Gem"

Lapis Lazuli desired to return "home", referring to the Gem Homeworld. It can be seen that the Gem Homeworld is within great distance from Earth and that Lapis Lazuli leaves Earth and travels in the direction of these stars to the Gem Homeworld. The stars are similar to a drawing, or map in the Galaxy Warp.

"Space Race"

Pearl mentions that the Galaxy Warp served as a method of transport to Homeworld, via the now inactive Homeworld Warp.

"Warp Tour"

The Gem Homeworld is mentioned by name, and Peridot warps to Earth from there. Homeworld's Warp Pad is repaired by Flask Robonoids in order for Peridot to perform a maintenance check. Upon her departure, Garnet destroys the Warp Pad with her gauntlets, once again preventing travel to and from Homeworld.

"On the Run"

Amethyst reveals that Homeworld Gems created other Gems in a facility known as the Kindergarten. Amethyst, among many other Gems, is one of these creations.

"The Message"

Lapis Lazuli states that Homeworld is much more advanced, and she doesn't understand any of it. She contacted the Gems with technology that could communicate with the Wailing Stone, but only with help from Greg.

"The Return"/"Jail Break"

The Gem Warship, transporting Jasper, Peridot, and Lapis Lazuli, was dispatched to Earth from Homeworld. It was to return to Homeworld before it crashed back to Earth.

"Friend Ship"

An Ancient Gem Colony Ship is visited by the Crystal Gems. Such ships were the fastest way to travel between Earth and Homeworld before the building of the Warp Pads.

"Catch and Release"

Peridot had attempted to repair the Homeworld Warp again, successfully collecting all the pieces of the Warp Pad. Unfortunately, without her Flask Robonoids, she was unable to repair it completely.

"When It Rains"

Peridot reveals that it doesn't rain on the Gem Homeworld. According to her, Homeworld saw the Earth as unneeded and decided to use it for experimentation, apparently several centuries ago. One such experiment is the Cluster, composed of millions of Gem Shards. It is currently incubating in the Earth's core, but when it emerges, it will be big enough to destroy the planet. The only way to survive would be to destroy the Cluster before it hatches or to escape the planet.

"Back to the Barn"

Peridot mentions Homeworld when she explains that Pearls are servants there.

"The Answer"

Garnet mentions that Homeworld sent diplomats to Earth, and it is revealed that there is another authority figure called Blue Diamond.

"It Could've Been Great"

While on the moon retrieving vital information on the Cluster, Peridot explains that Gem physiology is designed for the express purpose of aiding Homeworld's interstellar conquering. Later, she reveals Homeworld's original plan for terraforming the Earth.

"Log Date 7 15 2"

Garnet points out Homeworld in the night sky, and reveals that it is in another galaxy of its own, instead of the Milky Way.

Caste System

Homeworld maintains a strict caste system, with each type of gemstone having a predetermined role and place in the social pyramid, each with their own privileges and ordained purposes. Any Gem who, in any way, digresses from their role, be it intentional or not, would be considered defective. Because there are so many of one type of Gem, the Homeworld Gems — with the exception of the Diamonds — distinguish themselves via coded serial numbers. So far the known castes are:

Pearls

Pearls are servants in the caste. Described by Peridot as "someone's shiny toy", Pearls serve as domestics and ladies-in-waiting to their owners. They are expected only to serve, and be submissive and obedient. Pearls are also status symbols on Homeworld reserved for higher castes, as Peridot comments that the idea of a Peridot owning a Pearl is a ridiculous notion. Physically, all Pearls appear to have a slender form and a beak-like nose, however, they are also "customized" to resemble their owners in color, appearance, and gem placement, (as seen from Yellow Diamond and Blue Diamond's Pearls).

Sapphires

Sapphires are of the nobility class. Described by Garnet as rare aristocratic gems, Sapphires are highly valued for their precognitive abilities, delivering prophecy and foretelling future events to their superiors. This makes them valuable as counselors to the Diamonds, as well as possibly military strategists. Blue Diamond referred to Sapphire as "A member of my court," implying their high status as advisers or commanding officers.

Lapis Lazulis

As seen with Lapis Lazuli, they are immensely powerful Gems. Their current status is unknown on Homeworld.

Quartzes

Quartzes are a soldier caste. Made to fit the role of an elite warrior, Quartzes have incredible height, broad shoulders, and an intimidating muscular build. Rose Quartz and Jasper both fit this description. Amethyst is also a Quartz, although she does not fit the description because she "stayed in the ground too long". Some Quartzes are used as bodyguards and escorts, as shown by Jasper. They appear to be less numerous than Rubies. According to Ian Jones-Quartey, some have defensive powers as well (Like Rose's) since "they can't all be tankers".

Rubies

Rubies are another type of soldier caste. Garnet describes them as "common", seeing as they are all identical to one another. They appear to be used as personal escorts and bodyguards for high-ranking Gems. Seeing as they are so numerous, inferred from Ruby's comment of their being "tons" of her, Rubies are considered somewhat unimportant and highly expendable grunts.

Peridots

Peridots serve mainly as technicians and Kindergarteners, sometimes performing field assignments on other planets. Their exact role is currently unknown; however, they're higher than Pearls (but not high enough to own a Pearl of their own).

Fusions

Fusions are weapons in the caste. They are used in times of war, seen as objects rather than their own beings. A fusion outside of battle is considered highly inappropriate and extremely unorthodox, being regarded as disgusting, embarrassing or discomforting to behold (as inferred from Jasper and Peridot's reactions towards Garnet). To a further extent, fusions between Gems of different varieties is considered even more of an abnormality in Gem society, as the Gem diplomats in "The Answer" referred to Garnet as "disgusting" and "unheard of".

Diamonds

Diamonds are the highest caste, similar to royalty and referred to as the "matriarchs" of Gem society. All Homeworld Gems are fanatically loyal to the Diamonds, seeing as Peridot formerly adored Yellow Diamond. Gems also appear to each be categorized under their respective Diamonds, as Blue Diamond referred to Sapphire as being "of her court" and Peridot saying she was "made" for Yellow Diamond. They are also of a massive size, towering over the other types of Gems seen, even some fusions. Any form of infidelity displayed towards the Diamonds is considered punishable by death.

Technology

“	Steven, Homeworld is not the way it used to be. Everything here is so advanced! I can't even understand it! There's no way anything on Earth can stand up to it! Please, don't put up a fight, it'll only lead to devastation!	”
—Lapis Lazuli, "The Message"

Over the past 5,000 years, the Homeworld Gems have developed advanced technology unfamiliar to the earthbound Crystal Gems. However, even 5,000 years prior, Gem technology was already considerably high-tech, already having invented things like space travel and holographic projection.

• Gem Destabilizer weapons.
• Limb Enhancers.
• Robonoids such as Flask Robonoids and Plug Robonoids.
• Advanced warships equipped with powerful beam weapons, destabilizer containment fields and escape pods.
• Red Eye.

Punishment

There appears to be many forms of punishment on Homeworld.

• Execution - The most common punishment which involves the shattering of the gemstone, eliminating the core of the Gem and the Gem themselves. This penalty is mostly reserved for gems who show any sort of disloyalty or perform treason against The Great Diamond Authority. Rose confided to Pearl that losing the war would end in them being executed by the Diamonds, and Ruby was sentenced to be broken by Blue Diamond for accidentally fusing with Sapphire.
• Harvesting - May involve Gems being imprisoned in bubbles indefinitely. Peridot incorrectly assumed this would happen to her when she saw the Gem Bubbles in the Burning Room.
• Forced Fusion - As theorized by Garnet, the Gem Mutants were created as punishment to the fallen rebels for siding with Rose Quartz and the Crystal Gems during the war for Earth.

Inhabitants

• Gems
• Yellow Diamond
• Blue Diamond
• Blue Diamond's Pearl
• Yellow Diamond's Pearl

Former

• Pearl
• Garnet (Ruby/Sapphire)
• Rose Quartz
• Lapis Lazuli
• Jasper
• Peridot

Trivia

• Homeworld invaded Earth and established Kindergarten about 6,000 years prior to the events of the show, but was driven off by the Crystal Gems' war of rebellion 5,000 years ago. Based on the numbers given, they occupied Earth for at least a thousand years.
• It is unknown if the planet has an actual name, as up to this point it has only been referred to as "Homeworld".
• Pearl said that Earth was not a Gem-controlled planet, possibly inferring that some planets are under Gem occupation.
  • Later, in "Cry for Help", Peridot states that Earth is a part of the "Crystal System", suggesting that the Homeworld has incorporated its colonized worlds into a larger territorial body, as well as has categories for star and solar systems.
    • Interestingly, "Crystal Systems" are the classifications of gemstone structures, of which there are seven, each having characteristic shapes. The systems differ in terms of the angles between faces and in number of edges of equal length on each face.
  • In "It Could've Been Great" Peridot revealed that Homeworld is an empirical society, with several planets under their control.
• It's implied by Garnet in her verse of the extended theme that living as a fusion on Homeworld may be a practice that's looked down upon, which could be the reason why she willingly sided with the Crystal Gems in the Rebellion.
  • This is supported by Jasper's comments on Garnet during both "The Return" and "Jail Break".
  • Peridot also supported this theory by calling Garnet a "filthy war machine", implying that fusions on Homeworld are primarily used for war.
  • It is proven true in "The Answer" by how the members of Blue Diamond's court reacted to Ruby and Sapphire fusing for the first time, finding the fusion between two dissimilar Gems abhorrent.
• It's revealed in "When It Rains" that it doesn't rain on Homeworld, since Peridot was not familiar with the phenomenon.
• Peridot reveals in "Back to the Barn" that Homeworld is a caste society.
• A Peridot with a Pearl servant is apparently an unheard of thing on Homeworld, since pearls are considered a luxury for higher classes like the Diamonds, as seen in "The Answer".
• Peridot's lack of knowledge on the wheel hints that Homeworld's advancement has reached far enough that the wheel has become technologically obsolete and has passed out of use and general knowledge.
• In "Too Far", Peridot is unfamiliar with the 24-hour terrestrial day and refers to it as a "rotation". However, she is familiar with the concepts of years, centuries and eras. The exact specifics of Homeworld chronology remain unclear.
• Gems refer to their designated Diamonds as "My Diamond".
• As seen in "Message Received", Gems salute their Diamonds by crossing their arms and forming a diamond with their hands.
  • Also shown in the same episode, Homeworld Gems distinguish themselves from others of their type via codes and serial numbers based on Facet and Cut. For instance, Peridot is identified as "Peridot Facet 2F5L Cut 5XG."
• In "Log Date 7 15 2", it is shown that Homeworld's galaxy can be seen with the naked eye from Earth.
• Although color may be a factor, it is currently unknown how gems are specifically distributed between the courts of each individual Diamond.