Many an epic quest begins with the hope of treasure. This trope is no less true in video games, and jewelry makes frequent and memorable appearances in several popular series. Whether your tastes lean more eclectic Pokemon or classic The Legend of Zelda-esque, there's probably a video game necklace or two you could envision getting your (digital) hands on.
More often than not, in-game jewelry also confers special powers or traits to characters, a nice bonus that extends beyond just aesthetic appeal. Regardless, celebrating crowns, pendants, necklaces and the like — magical or not — is a worthy goal, particularly in games where jewelry has taken on an iconic status. These selections certainly fit the bill.
10 The Goron Bracelet - The Legend Of Zelda
Probably most recognizable from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the Goron Bracelet gives Link extra physical strength and access to blocked-off areas (like Dodongo's Cavern). Earned after playing Saria's Song for Darunia, the Goron Bracelet takes the form of a golden crown with a variation of Hyrule's triangle symbol engraved in red on it.
The bracelet also appears in other Legend of Zelda games, including Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess. For the Gorons, Link's journey to becoming a "real man" definitely involves a little jewelry.
9 Princess Peach's Crown - Super Mario
Since the advent of Mario and his never-ending quest to rescue Princess Peach, the series has featured Peach's recognizable golden crown. In more modern versions of the character, Peach wears her crown while fighting in Super Smash Bros., driving Mario Karts, and dancing at a Mario Party.
Typically depicted with a red jewel surrounded by blue gemstones, Peach's crown symbolizes her status as ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom. Newer games like Super Mario 3D World even imbue the crown with transformational abilities — yes, it's Peach's crown that lets characters turn into cats. After all, what's a princess without her crown?
8 Z-Ring - Pokemon
Introduced in Pokemon Sun & Moon, Z-Rings run off (you guessed it) Z-Crystals. Throughout the Alola region, aspiring Pokemon trainers can find crystals that elevate the attack and defense capabilities of their team members.
When used in conjunction with a special pose, Z-Rings light up and allow Pokemon to unleash powerful moves once per battle. Empowered by the bond trainers hold with their Pokemon, Z-Rings make manifest the mutual respect between humans and pocket monsters. Plus, Pikachu doing a choreographed dance with his trainer is just too cute to ignore.
7 The Amulet Of Mara - Skyrim
The Amulet of Mara initiates one of the more quirky and memorable missions in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. The necklace plays a central part in "The Book of Love" quest in which your job as a player is to spread romance to the general population.
In Riften, the priest at the Temple of Mara will ask you to help three in-love couples join hands in matrimony. You can then use the amulet to marry one of several optional love interests within the game. Not only will these potential partners move in with you, but they also will give you benefits — like home-cooked meals and any profit they get from selling items — while you're off adventuring.
6 Gerudo Jewelry - The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
What's better than Link decked out in his traditional green ensemble? Link dressed as a Gerudo woman! In Breath of the Wild, Link must gain access to the Gerudo's desert city. This goal turns out to be a bit of a problem since the Gerudo only allow females into their thriving oasis community.
As a result, you can dress Link in a variety of feminine clothing and jewelry options that confer certain abilities and benefits. The Gerudo Veil, Silver Circlet, and Gerudo Topaz Earrings are all gorgeous in-game pieces that increase heat resistance, defense, and shock protection respectively.
5 The Moonstone - The Sims 4
Although appearing in several iterations of The Sims, the Moonstone takes a front-and-center place in The Sims 4: Realm of Magic. You can find the gemstone in a variety of locations within the game.
Once obtained, the Moonstone can be used in valuable spells and potions while also granting Sims access to the Magic Realm, where magic shops and dueling grounds abound. For less magically-inclined Sims, it can also be used as a wearable item to pretty up your Sim's appearance.
4 Golden Rings - Sonic The Hedgehog
Gotta go fast, gotta go fast! Although he can't necessarily wear them, Sonic The Hedgehog definitely passes through his fair share of golden rings. Typically, the rings allow Sonic to increase his (already impressive) speed, and the number collected in each level indicates how good of a run he had.
In some games, they also confer health benefits and boost Sonic's defenses against baddies. Not jewelry in the strictest sense of the word, but still shiny and pretty nonetheless.
3 The Phantom Blade - Assassin's Creed Unity
The French Revolution threw 18th-century Paris into turmoil, but if Assassin's Creed Unity is any indication, surviving chaos can still be fashionable. Based on the series' ubiquitous hidden blade weapon, the Phantom Blade shows up on Arno Dorian's forearm and features a spring-loaded mechanism that lets the blade extend and retract.
The Phantom Blade is a wearable and much coveted in-game item. It doesn't hurt that it features an emblem that looks similar to the Assassin's Creed logo either.
2 The Hircine's Ring - Skyrim
Unlike the Amulet of Mara above, the Hircine's Ring delivers the opposite of love and compassion to its wearers. Upon completion of the quest Ill Met By Moonlight, the ring provides increased stamina and health regeneration, a definite advantage against higher-level enemies.
The downside? Your character turns into a werewolf once a day. Although the mayhem and violence caused by werewolves can certainly be fun (in a game setting only, of course), you might get tired of being run out of villages every time your fuzzy alter-ego loses control. As the Elder Scrolls' universe reinforces more than once, items tainted by the Daedra often come with a catch.
1 The Spiritual Stones - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
As young Link sets out on his epic journey in The Ocarina of Time, he is tasked by Princess Zelda with defeating three dungeons in pursuit of the Kokiri's Emerald, the Goron's Ruby, and the Zora's Sapphire. Once collected, their wielder can open the Temple of Time's Sacred Realm, where the Triforce (the ultimate goal of evil Ganondorf) rests.
In many ways, Link's quest for the Spiritual Stones serves as the prologue to the much longer, more complex storyline of Ocarina. Ultimately, the stones represent Link's transition from adolescence to adulthood, a difficult and emotional rite of passage for most people in general.
In a pinch, though (and on a much less deep level), the Spiritual Stones would also make a pretty decent wedding gift for Princess Ruto. After all, escaping an unwanted marriage can be a happy ending in its own right.