What is the point of the gems?

Question

The plates do better and you don't lose them when you use the right type of attack

Comments

I have a feeling this has been asked before

Answer 1

Gems have a larger power increase. They also have the added benefit of activating an ability such as Unburden. They are also useful when used in combination with the move Acrobatics.

By the way, there is something interesting here. The Japanese name for Unburden translates directly into "acrobatics".

Answer 2

Well they are boost to any type and can be held by anything.
Also there is an ability that does something if their hold item goes away so it becomes a strategic advantage.