Board Thread:Skyrim/@comment-124.169.25.211-20170317011100

I haven't found this method posted anywhere before so i thought id share. It may not be the quickest way to lvl smithing but it'll also give you a range of other boosts/benefits including gold, alteration, finding locations and access to quick enchanting and is an overall fun and engaging experience rather than mind numbingly crafting daggers (what else is this game about?). It's also good for starting from scratch as you don't need to unlock smithing perks or a tonne of gold.

Start by finding any one of the 24 stones of Barenziah which will appear as an unusual gem in the 'take' prompt and will begin the quest 'no stone unturned'. You can then collect the other 23 straight away (locations can all be found here  http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Stones_of_Barenziah) or  join the thieves guild (speak to Brynjolf in Riften if you haven't already) and follow the quest from there  (note there will be a few that are only accessible by completing other quests first such as buying proudspire manor in solitude and joining the dark brotherhood.) Doing all this only takes a few hours if you really commit and once you have the gems its pretty straightforward from there. Bring the gems back to to vex to complete the final leg of the quest. Although it doesn't show up in active effects, you will gain a perk called prowlers profit which essentially means any chest/urn or other loot crate you look in from now on will give you anywhere from 1-10 or more gems of varying value (burial urns found in nord crypts are best for finding flawless gems so go dungeon crawling for a few hours to build a solid supply.) What you really want are flawless diamonds or emeralds but all gems help.

For the next part of the system simply get your hands on as much iron ore as possible. Getting it straight from mines is a great source so look up any mines that have a large number of veins, or buy them from blacksmiths all through skyrim (theyre the cheapest ore at 5gp each). Also get your hands on the spell tome 'transmute mineral ore' which can be found on a table in halted stream camp north of Whiterun and allows you to turn your iron ore into gold ore. If casting the spell takes a lot of magicka just cast as many times as you can, then wait an hour to replenish magicka and repeat the process. Then take all your gold ore to any one of the smelters in skyrim to turn them into ingots and along with your gems, craft jewellrey. As XP gained is based off the monetary value of what you make, Gold diamond necklaces (flawless diamond and gold ingot), gold diamond rings (diamond and gold ingot), or silver emerald necklaces (silver ingot and flawless emerald) will give you the best gains per item. Your smithing will skyrocket, and because you only paid 5gp at the most for each craft you're basically making a 1000% profit or more. You can then either choose to sell the jewellrey direct, or use them to level enchanting and sell them for even more  (enchanting XP works on the same monetary premise as smithing so choosing the enchantment 'fortify destruction' on each piece of jewellrey will give you the most bang for your buck)

Like i said this method may not be the quickest but i found it to be really enjoyable as you're still playing the game while you go instead of grinding away at single tasks for hours and you come away from it absolutely balling/swimming in delicious gems. Let me know what you think!

Talos guide you 