The Upgrade Gem is a collectible unit that enhances the firepower of the player's ships and energy collection. Each Upgrade Gem collected adds 20% to the extra power, up to a maximum of 100%, after which collecting further gems does not improve the player's capabilities.

Upgrade Gems can be collected through green packets dispatched by an Apex Ship. However, destruction of the gem will also collect it. Gems can be destroyed through various means, such as dropping them in Acid or Lava, or being cut through a Darkling.

At 100%, energy production is increased by 50%. It goes linearly through the steps, so the bonus to energy % is half of what the gem acquired % on your screen. So if you've picked up two gems and it says 40%, it would be a 20% bonus to energy. Weapons/parts are a little more complicated and vary by the part, so see individual part pages for more detail.