Let’s be real for a second. If you’re playing the Resident Evil 4 Remake, you aren’t just here to kick cultists in the face and save the president’s daughter. You’re here to get rich. Or, more accurately, you’re here to make Leon S. Kennedy the wealthiest government agent to ever step foot in rural Spain.
There is something deeply satisfying about hearing that "cha-ching" sound at the Merchant’s shop. But honestly? Most people are leaving thousands of Pesetas on the table because they don’t understand how the RE4 Remake treasure guide mechanics actually work. It’s not just about finding the shiny stuff; it’s about the "Gemstone Combo" math that the game tries to explain but most players skip over.
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If you’ve been selling your Rubies as soon as you find them, you’re doing it wrong. Stop that.
The Gemstone Combo: Why Your Math is Losing You Money
Basically, the Merchant is a sucker for a good-looking piece of jewelry. If you shove a random assortment of gems into an Elegant Mask, he’ll pay you a decent price. But if you follow a specific color pattern? He’ll practically throw his life savings at you.
Here is the breakdown of how those multipliers work. You can actually see this in-game by pressing a button in the "Inlay Gemstones" menu (it’s Square on PlayStation or X on Xbox), but here’s the gist:
- Two Colors (1.1x): Two different gems. Meh.
- Two of a Kind (1.2x): Two of the same color. Better.
- Three of a Kind (1.4x): Triple the same color. Now we’re talking.
- Five Colors (2.0x): This is the holy grail.
You want to aim for the Five-Color Combo whenever possible. This is mostly applicable to the Elegant Crown, which has five slots. If you put one of each color (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple) into that crown, it hits a massive 100,000 Pesetas value.
That specific sale actually triggers the "Astute Appraiser" achievement. Don't waste your Yellow Diamonds on 2-slot treasures. Save those high-tier stones for the big earners.
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Don't Miss the Missables: Chapter-by-Chapter Essentials
The Village, the Castle, and the Island are all "points of no return" zones. Once you leave the Village for the Castle, everything you didn't pick up is gone forever. You can't go back.
The Village (Chapters 1-6)
You’ve gotta buy the Village Treasure Map from the Merchant as soon as you see him. It only costs one Spinel. It’s the best investment you’ll ever make.
One of the biggest "gotchas" in the Village is the Pearl Pendant in the Farm area. It’s hanging in a silver lantern over a disgusting, muddy well. If you shoot it down and it falls into the muck, the value drops from 5,000 to 1,000 Pesetas. Shoot the wooden stick holding the well cover open first. It’s a tiny detail that most people forget on their first run.
Also, keep an eye out for Small Keys. These aren't just random items; they open those locked drawers you keep seeing. There are five in the Village. One is in the Valley (in a small shack), and another is in the Village Chief’s Manor (next to a stack of papers in the dining room).
The Castle (Chapters 7-12)
The Castle is where the big money starts rolling in. You’ll need the Cubic Device to open the Square Lock Boxes. You find this in a hallway right after the Armory in Chapter 9.
Pro tip: Don't forget to backtrack! Once you have that Cubic Device, go back to the Audience Chamber. There is a lock box there with a Gold Bar inside. It’s an easy skip if you’re rushing to the next cutscene.
The Elegant Crown in the Castle is located in the Depths (Chapter 10). After you fall through the floor and find yourself in the sewer-like area, look for a breakable wall. It’s sitting right there, waiting for those five different colored gems.
The Expansion Map: Is the DLC Worth It?
If you bought the Deluxe Edition or the "Treasure Map: Expansion" DLC, you’ll see extra icons on your map that look like little gold treasure chests with a plus sign.
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Honestly? These are kind of a mixed bag. A lot of them are just tokens for the Shooting Range or low-tier gems. However, it does add a second Elegant Crown later in the game. If you’re struggling for cash on a Professional run, that extra 100k is a lifesaver. But for a casual playthrough? You don't need it to get fully upgraded weapons.
How to Maximize Your Haul
I’ve played through this game more times than I care to admit, and I’ve found that the "Wait and See" approach is always best.
- Hoard your gems: Don't sell "For Selling Only" treasures immediately if they have slots.
- Match the shapes: Circles go in circles, rectangles go in rectangles. Red Beryl and Yellow Diamonds are your "power" gems.
- The Small Key Rule: If you see a locked drawer, there is a key somewhere in that same region. Usually within a chapter or two.
- Kill the Crows: Seriously. They often drop Spinels or Pesetas. It’s free money.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you’re sitting at a typewriter right now wondering what to do with your inventory, do this:
- Check your treasures: Do you have an Elegant Crown? If so, does it have five different colors? If not, keep holding those gems until you find a Purple or Green one.
- Visit the Merchant: Exchange your Spinels for the Treasure Map of your current region immediately.
- Backtrack: If you just got the Old Wayshrine Key in the Village or the Cubic Device in the Castle, open your map. Look for the icons you couldn't open before. Go get them now before the story forces you into a new area.
- Watch the "Point of No Return": In the Village, don't cross the bridge to the Villa until you've cleared the Farm. In the Castle, don't get on the boat to the Clocktower until you've cleared the library.
Getting every treasure in the RE4 Remake treasure guide isn't just about the trophy; it’s about having enough firepower to make the final boss look like a joke. Good luck, Stranger.