"Yes, precisely. The emeralds themselves are the perfect vessel for their particular energies, formed flawlessly by elements still unknown. And sadly, a great deal of research on their nature is long lost with the destruction of Mobius. This could even be the last emerald as we know it!" Naugus lowers his staff so his claw pincer can tap at the purple gemstone. (Nevermind the contradiction of name and colour. That's just how these things are.)

"As for my personal uses, as well as providing energy for my ongoing research and studies, it allows me greater...mmm, let's say FINESSE in transforming things to crystal or transmuting other objects. Where it was once a far greater effort and expended much more power, it can be done with little more than a simple wave of my staff. VERY convenient."