[Japher]

Here's what I do:

Water 2/3, Astral 3

Convert all gems to water, make that little clam of pearls like mad, research to conjuration 5, cast Acashic Record like it’s going out of style. I also play the Arco's which is nice to have astral casters...

This can get really expensive so researching Enchantment to cast Mother Oak (requires N lvl. 5 caster) and Eternal Pyre (Lvl. 6) to at least be able to convert gems into.

I start with a Lvl. 2 in E, A, W, F and 2 in D (skull mentor), and 4 in S/N (I will either empower to N5 or make items that can give me the boost)... Once I reach conjuration 5 and enchantment 5 I am never without gems and have some good spells to continue my exploits.