Umm im new and ive picked up heaps of gems. Are they actually used for anything or are they just to be sold?

Some of the more expensive gems have other uses, but mostly they're good for selling.

Unless you are using one of the weapon upgrade mods, gems and necklaces are only good for selling.
There is only one exception that I know of, which may be the reason you will find quite a few stores selling it.

If you have the weapon upgrade mods, then quite a few gems can come in use. Again, here it is the rather expensive ones that are used. So dont worry about selling a Turquoise ;)

[ April 28, 2005, 05:58: Message edited by: Shrikant ]

You may want to hang onto 1 rouge stone, 1 diamond and 1 Beljuril in the unmodded game.

For the item upgrade mod you may need:
Amulet of Metaspell Influence
Amulet of Spell Warding
Amulets of Protection +1 (2)
Andar Gems (3)
Beljuril
Bloodstones(3)
Diamond (2)
Fire Agate Gems(3)
Laeral's Tears(4)
Pearls (4)
Ring of Acuity
Ring of Air Control
Ring of Animal Friendship
Ring of Danger Sense
Ring of Earth Control
Ring of Fire Control
Ring of Lock Picks
Ring of Protection +1 (5)
Ring of Protection +2
Ring of Regeneration (2)
Ring of Wizardry
Rogue Stone (8)

If you want to make everything

Be sure to have 1 beljuril (if you can ever find it), 1 diamond and 1 rogue stone for some minor to major fun in the original game. No spoilers here!

Aah, you remid me my inexperienced times, when I was a newbie that started playing Ice Wind Dale 2 (I CONFESS, it is the first Infinity Game I played) I collected SO MANY gems that my gembags were full with them. And I always thought they are VITAL for game and never sold them. (in a single part of the IWD 2game, you really needed some gems but that was all) I also collected all the old keys and other useless quest stuffs and never threw one away till the very end. :)