In FFXIV, Prime Crystalbloom is a new type of Botanist Collectable introduced in Patch 6.2. It’s found in the northern section of Ultima Thule (X: 27.9, Y: 13.1). The material will spawn in a Legendary gathering node at 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eorzea Time. It then sticks around for two in-game “hours” — until noon and midnight Eorzea Time. For those already familiar with the spot, this is the exact same Legendary gathering node that spawns Potent Spice and Double-edged Herb.
However, Prime Crystalbloom is a Collectable rather than a “normal” crafting material. FFXIV players must increase its Collectability rating (up to a maximum level of 1,000). After which they can select the item from their inventory and choose “Aetherial Reduction.”
In this way, “prime” Collectables are more like the items gathered from Ephemeral nodes than other Legendary materials. One major difference being that it spawns in one location twice per in-game day. Rather than multiple times once per in-game day. The other major difference is that collecting Prime Crystalbloom with a Collectability rating of 1,000 has a small chance of producing Sublime Crystalbloom instead.
Both items can be converted via Aetherial reduction. In either case, the player will receive Wind Clusters and/or Wind Crystals (depending on the Collectable’s rating). The prime variant also has a very small chance of producing the crafting material Verdurous Glioaether. This, in turn, is needed to create Water Otter Fountain Lumber. Meanwhile, the Sublime variant is guaranteed to produce Verdurous Glioaether.
To attempt gathering either version of the plant, players’ Botanist class must reach a whopping 3,700 Perception. This is the highest material requirement in the game, as of Patch 6.2, and can only be achieved with overmelded best-in-slot gear and high-quality food.
