Peak strange gem explained

What does the strange gem do in Peak? The latest update has arrived, and with it is a new desert biome that adds plenty of new items and hazards to prevent you from reaching the peak!

When you reach the peak, though, you'll notice that the strange gem is back; you might recognize this glowing pink orb from previous versions of Peak, and now it's arrived in the Mesa update for the co-op game. It's the large gem found nestled in the statue behind the mountain at the very top. Here's what it does and why sacrificing it to the kiln won't work.