Before activation, the jewel is rough and coal-black, leading many to mistake it for coal when it is in this state. However, it can be differentiated from coal by the fact that it is completely non-flammable as well as being harder than diamond. An individual trained in magic, particularly in enchantment, can easily locate runic jewels by feeling their magical capability.  After activation, the jewel is smooth and shiny. It glows softly when in the presence of its activator. It also adopts a color reflecting this person.

Before activation, the jewel has no particular properties other than being non-flammable and harder than diamond.  After activation, the jewel is warm to the touch. It also has a much higher magical absorbtion factor, as it holds enchantments and other spells longer and more completely than any other known material. It may take on multiple enchantments and hold them well. It will prioritize more recent enchantments over older ones, though its color will always reflect its original activator.  In either state, these jewels can last millennia.

These jewels are found in average coal mines. These mines are believed to have been touched by dragons.

The monarch is known for having many of these jewels decorating the palace, with each successive monarch ordering one made for them (or doing it herself in the case of Queen Alistrona). The leaders of each branch of magic also have special tokens or artifacts passed down from generation to generation of leaders containing these jewels. The Red Sorceress Diadem is one example from that branch.

In order to activate the jewel’s full magical potential, a magic user must pour their magic into the jewel for ten minutes straight. If their thoughts waver even slightly, the jewel will explode, killing the activator and destroying the jewel. Therefore, only powerful and highly trained magicians ever activate them. Once refined, the jewel is tied in many ways to its activator.