Lanlan Jewel Cube

LanLan Jewel Cube

The name may suggest a cube, but the LanLan Jewel Cube is not a 3x3 variant. It is a 3-layer face-turning octahedron, an eight-sided puzzle with turning faces, whose corners have been cut off. Each cut-off spot carries a single gold sticker. This gives the octahedron extra flat facets, so it looks like a cut gemstone, which is where its name comes from. We offer the black-body version.

How it works

The shape is different, but the mechanism works just like a regular FTO. You turn each of the eight triangular faces, and the cut corners only change the look and how the puzzle sits in your hands. The coloured stickers on the faces still show you where each piece belongs. The gold stickers on the cut corners are all the same colour, so they are purely decorative and don't help with solving.

If you already solve face-turning puzzles such as the 3x3 or the Megaminx, you'll quickly get the hang of the turning itself. The octahedron does need its own method, though, because 3x3 algorithms don't carry over to it directly. The Jewel Cube is more of a collector's and practice puzzle than a record-breaking speed puzzle.

Who is it for?

This puzzle is a good fit if you can already solve a 3x3 and want to try a new type of mechanism, in this case an octahedron. Collectors of shape mods and unusual LanLan puzzles will enjoy it too. If you're just starting out, it's better to get a classic 3x3 cube first and save the Jewel Cube for later. Thanks to its gemstone look, it also makes a great gift.

Specifications

• Type: 3-layer face-turning octahedron (FTO), shape mod with cut corners
• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Body colour: black
• Corners: cut, each with a gold sticker
• Dimensions: approx. 63 x 61.6 x 61 mm
• Weight with packaging: approx. 141 g