Has anyone else been able to get a lava gem in the last couple of days? My statue needed recharging, and I went out to get one. Normally I get one within the first 1/2 energy pool or so, but I have tried several different lava zones, broken up over a few days including going elsewhere and doing other things (including working on the new maps) and have yet to get one. I estimate I've used about 3 full energy bars plus a couple mana refills so far without finding one (yes, I have given up, a couple of times).

Yep, I don't have it.

Just used another full energy bar in a few of the possible zones, plus a mini energy pack. Still not getting it.

I just did now. The only time before that I remember it taking more than half an energy bar's worth of energy was the one time I didn't notice that the quest had completed already, so I already knew this time to check for that periodically (like every few quick whacks or mana hits).

Bethany, you can, and should, perform a complete Flash update every once in a while for this game.
I do it once a week and whenever there is an Update or a Holiday Event.

Just right click as the game opens and slide that Flash memory pointer to 0. Make sure that the check box is not set. Then reopen the game. You will have to 'allow' flash to save to your drive. And you will have to put up with a protracted load time that first time.

I can't imagine though that the possible corruption of your flash storage could have any effect like you described.