- Gem

First Impressions
The Roto Grip Gem, released in March 2022, is hard to miss. With its striking shell in Citrine, Rubellite and Amethyst it brings color to the lane, but the dull 2000-grit Abralon finish signals right away that it was built for heavy work. Technically it marks the return of the Defiant series in a modernized form: the Defiant LRG Core is an asymmetric core with very strong numbers. A low RG of 2.47 and a high differential of 0.053 (at 15 lbs) are rounded out by an intermediate differential of 0.016. Wrapped around this engine is the MicroTrax Solid Reactive coverstock, the chemically most aggressive compound in the Roto Grip arsenal. This combination makes the Gem an absolute "snow tire" for maximum hold.
Comparison In direct comparison, the Gem sits at the very top of the "hook monsters." It reads the lane earlier and more aggressively than the Roto Grip RST X-1 and offers considerably more overall hook than a Roto Grip Rubicon. The most fitting external comparison is the 900 Global Reality or the Storm Proton Physix. Next to the Reality, the Gem often feels a touch earlier in its rotation and even smoother in its motion. It doesn't produce an abrupt change of direction ("snap"); instead it starts working already in the heads and rolls unstoppably through the pins. It is the opposite of skid/flip; its strength is constant traction and enormous torque in oil.
On the Lanes The Gem is the definitive answer for heavy oil and long oil patterns. It's the first ball you pull out of the bag when you're playing on a "flood" or when other balls simply slide through. Its ability to create friction in an oil bath is outstanding. It allows you to stand deep inside and open up the pocket through the oil. That said, it absolutely requires oil in the front part of the lane (heads). As soon as the lane goes into transition and the heads dry up, the ball loses energy too early ("burn up") and carry suffers. It is especially valuable if you throw the ball fast and need help getting the ball to grab early enough.