Here's a couple ideas,
-Socketed gems for enchangting makes sense.
- To play off the idea of a "special" forge from Skyrim, if you put the crystals in the forge, it can enhance the ignots.
- It'd be cool if they can be mined, harvested from tree sap, or some kind of plant. Or all of the above, and combined into unique gems, thereby minimizing the amount of new object models the dev has to make, while also increasing the the amount of unique gems, and adding another gameplay mechanic.
- Gems could have smithing spirits that help you out with certain tasks while you're asleep.
- Also, the obvious socketed weapons idea, for making enchanted weapons using gems. The question is, should it be in the grip or the blade/hammer?
Leave your thoughts if you liked any of these ideas, or leave a like. Make sure you speak up, so the dev can use our favorite ideas if he/she wants :)
Also, thanks dev, your game is surprisingly fun :) Thanks!