[Jasper]

Boy, it would sure suck to have someone nail you with Fires from Afar if you tried this! The threat of that would make me reluctant to try this with anyone but Atlantis or R'lyeh.

It is definitely a long term investment, although Water gems don't really have compelling uses early on and the underwater races are more assured of surviving until turn 40 than most.

I think Pearl Clams are usefull enough that I build them when I have water gems sitting around, but I don't see it being worth the oppurtunity cost transmuting gems to water in order to forge them.