Hi I figured one way to do 9 stones. Do this first. Start in the middle and make a stone any color but the one you need. Then on the top of stone turn 2 stones to the color you need dso the same for the bottom and right and left side then make middle stone the same color.

Michelle

Hi Michelle!
I just started with Jewel Craft so I might not be able to answer all of your questions, but I've found some nice hints during the game.
There's an icon below the gem that needs to be manufactured. It looks like an open book. When you move the mouse cursor over it you see a list of "items to gather". This helps a lot. It doesn't show you how many stones you need for a particular jewel, but you'll learn that during the game.
The most important bonus when it comes to combining a large number of stones is the hour glass. It allows you to turn five stones without causing a "chain reaction". Last level I had to create a giant rubin made of 12 red stones. I turned as many red stones as possible (always in pairs of two leaving one stone free between them) and then activated the hour glass and turned the vacant stones.
Make sure that you create the largest items first, because otherwise you're running out of available stones in the end.
Kind regards,
Maui

Hi I love playing this game but not sure how certain aspects of the game work. I know how to flip the colors and create jewels but what is the secret to creating 9 of one color to make a big jewel. How do I know what color to create lets say 4 of to turn those squares lets say red if that is what I need 9 of. Also what creates the holes. Is it by using the same square a certain number of times. I wish the bag bonus only covered the holes and not the rest of board.

Thanks
Michelle