The Gems: Former Synthetic Slave Race?
While considering the characteristics of the Gem race as a whole I realized of they may be some parallels with the slave-race-gone-rouge troupe such as the Geth from Mass Effect or any other number of sci-fi settings where apparently creating sapient weapons is REALLY GOOD IDEA.
If we consider some of the Gem races characteristics you can see how they might have originated as a soldier race, and that some of their characteristics are strange for naturally occurring life
Self replicating. Achieved without incapacitating a mother from combat and could be done in a way to drain enemy resources
Immune to bio warfare and illness
Adaptable to most environments
In built weaponry systems as a core species mechanic
Weaponry that can't be easily used by the enemy
They don't need food or rest
capable of regenerating otherwise lethal wounds
no upper age limit lowering turnover rate
"Homeworld" sounds more like a machines designation than a name.
If natural Gems would have need incredibly complex set of circumstances to have evolved naturally.
Interestingly a more meta piece of evidence could be construed from Homeworlds actions. Namely:
NOBODY EVER FREAKING LEARNS A DAMN THING
Pearls lands squarely in this catagory. A Sapient but disposable being created solely for serving others. Who knows how many other Gem types this applied to?
Some gems considered humans to be completely disposable. That ticks a box attitude wise if life other to your own is worthless.
AND GEM SHARD FUSIONS. Frankenstein-ing dead bodies together to create disposable soldiers? that one step away from producing your own life.
In fact we know that their attitude has caused at least one rebellion previously so there a precedent.
HOMEWORLD IS FALLING INTO THE SAME CYCLE OF STUPIDITY
