> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rivalryze.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rivalryze.com/gems-and-wallet/how-to-earn-gems.md).

# How to Earn Gems

Gems are RivalRyze's in-platform currency. You use them to enter Contests, boost prize pools, tip other players and buy items in the [Marketplace](/the-marketplace/marketplace-overview.md).

Your balance is shown next to the Gem icon at the top of the site and on the [Wallet](/gems-and-wallet/transaction-history.md) page. In Discord, the RivalRyze bot's `/balance` command shows it to you privately.

## At a glance

| Source              | How much                                 | How often                                     |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| Welcome bonus       | 50 Gems                                  | Once per account                              |
| Daily Rewards Chest | 5 Gems (15 for Supporter, 30 for Legend) | Once a day                                    |
| Contest prizes      | Your share of the prize pool             | Each time you finish in a paid place          |
| Tips                | Whatever other players send you          | Any time                                      |
| Buying Gems         | Gem packs from 500 Gems                  | Whenever you like                             |
| Refunds             | What you paid                            | When a Contest is cancelled or an order fails |

## The welcome bonus

The last step of onboarding, **Claim your Reward**, gives you **50 Gems**. To unlock it you need two things connected:

* Your **Discord account**
* At least one **gaming account** (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Riot or Battle.net)

Once both show as **Connected**, click **Claim 50 Gems**. The bonus can only be claimed once per account. It shows in your history as **Welcome bonus**.

## The Daily Rewards Chest

Once a day you can open the **Daily Rewards Chest** on the [Rewards](/gems-and-wallet/rewards.md) page and click **Claim**. It resets at midnight UTC, and subscribers get a bigger chest:

| Tier              | Daily Gems |
| ----------------- | ---------- |
| Free              | 5          |
| Supporter (+200%) | 15         |
| Legend (+500%)    | 30         |

A missed day can't be claimed later. See [Rewards](/gems-and-wallet/rewards.md) for the details, including your daily streak.

## Contest prizes

Winning or placing in a Contest is the main way to earn Gems. When a Contest ends, its prize pool (entry fees, the host's Prize Boost and any donations) is split among the winners according to the prize distribution the host picked.

Your Gem prize then waits for you on the [Rewards](/gems-and-wallet/rewards.md) page under **Available Prizes**. Click **Claim prize** to add it to your wallet. If you don't, it's paid to your wallet automatically after 14 days.

See [Entry Fees, Prize Pools & Donations](/contests/entry-fees-and-prizes.md) for how pools are built and split.

{% hint style="success" %}
Pick Contests built around the games and platforms you're strongest on. Smaller Contests often give you better odds of placing, even with a smaller pool.
{% endhint %}

## Tips from other players

Other players can tip you Gems:

* **On the website:** with the tip button on your stories in the activity feed (50, 100 or 500 Gems per tip).
* **In Discord:** with the tip buttons the RivalRyze bot adds to some of its posts, such as Contest winner announcements, game completions and Dota 2 match posts.

Tips land in your wallet straight away and you get a **Someone tipped you** notification. They show in your history as **Tip**.

## Buying Gems

You can buy Gem packs with real money on the **Wallet** page: click **Deposit**, or (on desktop) the **+** next to your balance at the top of the site. See [Wallet & Transaction History](/gems-and-wallet/transaction-history.md) for the packs and how payment works.

## Refunds

Refunds aren't earnings, but they put Gems back in your wallet:

* **Cancelled Contests:** entry fees, the host's Prize Boost and donations all go back to whoever paid them. See [Entry Fees, Prize Pools & Donations](/contests/entry-fees-and-prizes.md).
* **Failed Marketplace orders:** if an order can't be delivered, its Gems are refunded automatically and show as **Reward refund**.

## What Gems are not

* **Not cash.** Gems can't be withdrawn, sold or exchanged for real money, and purchases of Gems are final. See the [Terms of Service](/info/terms-of-service.md).
* **Not freely transferable.** The only ways to pass Gems to other players are [tips and boosts](/gems-and-wallet/how-to-spend-gems.md).

## Want to spend them?

See [How to Spend Gems](/gems-and-wallet/how-to-spend-gems.md).