DaYan Gem Cube II

DaYan Gem Cube II

The second puzzle in DaYan's Gem series, designed by Daqing Bao. DaYan Gem Cube II combines a 3x3 cube with the Helicopter Cube: both the faces and the edges turn. According to TwistyPuzzles, it was the first mass-produced puzzle to combine these two types of turns. Its shape resembles a cut gemstone. It has square faces and hexagonal faces, which from a distance look more like triangles.

How the puzzle works

Gem II has two axis systems. Face turns work much like on a 3x3, and edge turns work like on the Helicopter Cube. Edge moves make the puzzle jumble: corners can move to positions they couldn't reach in the regular arrangement, and the shape changes temporarily. This raises the difficulty, but the mechanism locks up in some positions, so you need to watch which way you turn while scrambling. Knowing the 3x3 and the Helicopter Cube helps a lot, although you'll need to work out your own approach to solving Gem II.

Turning and out-of-the-box feel

This is a collector's puzzle, not a speedcube, and that's how you should approach it. Right out of the box, the turning is fairly stiff. Reviewers point out one of the triangular pieces, which tends to catch. Lubing and adjusting the tension help noticeably. Opinions on the turning are mixed: some people find it smooth after breaking it in, while others think Gem II turns noticeably worse than the rest of the series.

Gem I, Gem II or Gem III?

Gem I has only edge turns (the Helicopter mechanism in a different shape). Gem II adds face turns, so it's more complex. In comparisons of the whole series, Gem III usually comes out on top: it turns the most smoothly and doesn't jumble. That's why Gem III is more often recommended as a first Gem. Gem II makes sense if you're interested in the combination of face and edge turns.

Who is it for?

For collectors of unusual puzzles and for those who have already solved the Helicopter Cube and are looking for something harder. For a child's first puzzle, it's better to choose something simpler, as Gem II requires patience and gentle handling of the mechanism.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: DaYan
• Designer: Daqing Bao
• Manufacturer code: DY3052
• Type: hybrid of 3x3 and Helicopter Cube (face and edge turns)
• Size: approx. 76 mm
• Weight: approx. 207 g (puzzle only)
• Plastic colour: black