Middle Box Paradox

[DeadOptic]

Looking for a little help if anyone knows something I dont.

For context this is in the parlour room.

There are 3 boxes. One is lying, one is telling the truth, the one that remains has the reward.

On the Left the box reads (This is the middle box.)
In the middle, the Box reads (The Gems are in the middle box.)
On the right, the box reads (This is the middle box.)

This creates an infinite paradox in my mind. If the box in the middle is telling the truth...it cannot have the gems...therefore is lying. If it is lying...then it is also telling the truth because all 3 boxes are technically the "middle box".

So the box in the middle must be telling the truth, but if thats the case, then both of the other boxes are lying and therefore neither are the "middle box" therefore the box in the middle is lying.

If the box in the middle is lying, then it is also telling the truth because both other boxes are the "middle box" and the gems have to be in one of them. But if the box in the middle is telling the truth, then it cannot have gems inside.

If any of the boxes have gems inside, all the boxes are lying.

This paradox is blowing my mind and i'm not sure if its unintentional or I am just stupid. If anyone can figure the answer to this riddle then I will give you an accolade should I encounter this riddle again.

Note: I picked the box on the left and it did NOT contain gems. Which again means ALL OF THE BOXES WERE LYING. Jesus.

[TheLastDesperado]

Originally posted by DeadOptic:

There are 3 boxes. One is lying, one is telling the truth, the one that remains has the reward.

This is where you're going wrong.

At least one is lying, at least one is telling the truth. The one that remains doesn't necessarily have the gem in it.

This also means 2 could be lying, or 2 could be telling the truth.

So in the puzzle you present above, the middle one would have the gems.

[Handful_of_Dust]

At least one box must be true. At least one box must be false. The two boxes on the ends are both obviously false, since they are incorrectly stating they are the middle box. Since at least one box must be true, that means the actual box in the middle has to be the one with a true statement, and it is the one containing the gems.