The Gem features the MicroTrax Solid cover that we saw on the UFO, plus the inspired evolution of the Defiant core in the Defiant LRG, producing the lowest RG Roto Grip has ever had in a ball at 2.47. The result is a very strong, heavy rolling and powerful asymmetric solid that’s the strongest ball I’ve ever thrown. Despite this, it’s somehow very usable, it doesn’t see a lot of league action but on challenge and sport patterns, it’s one of my go to’s on the fresh, and being that I’m a lefty and see fresh on every pair I move to, it’s something I can stick with in sweepers and can just move with in regular tournaments where we stay on the same pair. It manages to hook a lot without burning up and hitting flat, I continue to find myself stunned at the versatility and power at the pins. The Gem fits alongside the Reality and Proton PhysiX, it doesn’t necessarily compete with them because they all have different shapes and slightly different hook potentials.