I would like to suggest changes to the gem system in an effort to validate mages in pve. I would like you to consider the concept of shifting all elemental (fire, ice, arcane etc) gems to 100% conversion rates scaling ONLY on intellect (as opposed to 50% on weapon or intellect (highest).
This way the end result is that a mage can take an IG and shift its damage to being 100% arcane.