Spiritual Stones

Kokiri's Emerald is Queen Gohma, inside the Deku Tree, for the forest. Goron's Ruby is King Dodongo, in Dodongo's Cavern, for the gorons. Zora's Sapphire comes after you rescue Ruto and beat Barinade inside Jabu-Jabu. All three are child-era errands. Put them on the Temple of Time pedestal, play the Song of Time, and the door opens. They do not upgrade, they do not sell, and they are not equipment you swing.

Preorder chatter about stones usually means the UK replica gift or the German Nintendo store's replica, both covered on the preorder page. Owning a plastic emerald does not skip Gohma. The remake's story still asks for the three. Light Temple rumors do not add a fourth stone in any post-launch order I would quote.

The stones are given through story scenes after the child dungeons rather than bought at a shop. The Great Deku Tree entrusts the emerald to Link after Queen Gohma; Darunia awards the ruby after King Dodongo; Ruto's rescue and the Barinade fight lead to the sapphire. Return toward Hyrule Castle Town once the set is complete to trigger Zelda's escape and retrieve the Ocarina of Time from the moat. Then take the three stones to the Temple of Time altar and play the newly learned Song of Time. The pedestal beyond the door holds the Master Sword. Collectible replicas and retailer gifts do not replace any of these quest flags.