diff --git a/game.py b/game.py
index 6c091fb..69ecb92 100644
--- a/game.py
+++ b/game.py
@@ -272,8 +272,8 @@ GEMS = [
 ]
 BANDS = ["copper_bar", "silver_bar", "silver_bar", "gold_bar", "gold_bar", "gold_bar"]
 GEM_ODDS = 0.02        # a gem with each rock mined
-PROSPECT_ORE = 5       # ore cracked open per prospecting action...
-PROSPECT_ODDS = 0.15   # ...for this chance at its gem
+PROSPECT_ORE = 3       # ore cracked open per prospecting action...
+PROSPECT_ODDS = 0.5    # ...for this chance at its gem
 # The gem each rock turns up when mined, and what's cracked open to prospect for each gem.
 GEM_ROCKS = {"mine_stone": "quartz", "mine_copper": "quartz", "mine_iron": "garnet", "mine_coal": "amethyst",
              "mine_mithril": "sapphire", "mine_adamantite": "emerald", "mine_runite": "diamond"}
@@ -6280,6 +6280,7 @@ ORDER_RECIPES, ORDER_RAW = _order_sources()
 # line here (new / balance / fix), and a new release a new entry on top.
 PATCH_NOTES = [
     {"date": "2026-10-27", "title": "Prayer", "notes": [
+        ("balance", "Prospecting: 3 ore per try (was 5), 50% gem chance (was 15%)."),
         ("new", "Dungeons: runs go on while anyone is watching. Members who look away fight on auto."),
         ("new", "Group stays in lobby after finishing dungeon"),
         ("new", "Added \"Drink all\" option to potions in the bank."),
diff --git a/tests/test_game.py b/tests/test_game.py
index b4e6617..4e76f19 100644
--- a/tests/test_game.py
+++ b/tests/test_game.py
@@ -2661,7 +2661,7 @@ class JewelcraftingTest(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def test_prospecting_cracks_ore_for_gems(self):
         self.ann["xp"]["jewelcrafting"] = game.XP_TABLE[15]
-        self.ann["bank"] = {"iron_ore": 7}
+        self.ann["bank"] = {"iron_ore": game.PROSPECT_ORE + 2}
         game.start_action(self.world, self.ann, "prospect_garnet", T0)
         summary = game.process_player(self.world, self.ann, T0 + 1000, Always())
         self.assertEqual(self.ann["bank"], {"iron_ore": 2, "garnet": 1})