Crime Simulator Gold Bars and Jewelry Economy (Update 1.3)
What Changed in 1.3
Update 1.3 (released December 2025) introduced a parallel economy system on top of the standard cash flow:
- Gold bars -- a new resource for hideout basement upgrades
- Jewelry loot -- authentic and fake variants
- Basement hideout expansion -- upgradeable with gold bars
- PvP competition modes -- new risk-reward income
- Master Key -- premium tool for instant lock opening
Gold Bars: The Real Progression
Gold bars are found in high-security targets, heist locations, and rare loot boxes. Unlike cash, gold bars are heavy and take multiple inventory slots.
What Gold Bars Do
Gold bars are used exclusively for basement upgrades:
| Upgrade | Gold Bar Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Rack | 2 bars | +50% hideout storage capacity |
| Tool Wall | 3 bars | Tool break rate reduced |
| Security Door | 5 bars | Loot safety improved |
| Workshop Bench | 8 bars | Craft better tools |
Each upgrade creates a snowball effect: better storage lets you hold more high-value items, better tools mean faster heists, and better security protects your stash.
Should You Sell Gold Bars?
The short answer: almost never.
- Selling a gold bar: about $800-$1,500 at the fence (based on community estimates)
- Value of basement upgrade: 3-5x ROI over 10+ heists
Sell gold bars only if you have fully upgraded your basement and need immediate cash for a specific tool.
Jewelry System
Jewelry comes in two varieties in Update 1.3:
Authentic Jewelry
- Found in high-value safes and display cases
- Higher fence price: about $400-$800 per piece
- Green indicator or special icon (check item tooltip)
Fake Jewelry
- Common in low-security houses
- Lower fence price: about $50-$200 per piece
- Does not appear special on inspection
How to tell the difference: Examine the item in your inventory. Authentic jewelry has a distinctive label or shine effect. Fake jewelry looks duller. The skill leaflet "Jewelry Appraisal" (if available) makes this distinction automatic.
Keep authentic jewelry in your stash for item requests before selling. Some NPCs specifically request authentic jewelry and pay up to $1,000 per piece -- well above fence price.
PvP Competition Mode Income
Update 1.3 added PvP competition modes that offer cash rewards separate from heist income:
- Competition entry fee: about $500
- Win payout: about $2,000-$5,000
- Risk: Lose your entry fee
PvP is viable only if you have strong tools and skills. Entering with basic equipment is a money sink.
New Income Flowchart
The optimal income loop in 1.3 is:
- Run standard heists for cash and tools
- Target high-security houses for gold bars and authentic jewelry
- Use gold bars for basement upgrades immediately
- Sell fake jewelry at fence, keep authentic for requests
- Use upgraded basement to unlock higher-paying contracts
- Repeat until basement is fully upgraded
- Then and only then, sell excess gold bars for cash
Community Verification & Resources
Data values may shift with patches. Cross-check against community resources before building your strategy.