Having cold eggs or milk can make a difference in how your batter turns out. Leave all of your ingredients at room temperature for 15–20 minutes prior to mixing.
A few lumps are okay. Overmixing results in tough, flat pancakes. Just stir until the ingredients come together and then leave it alone.
Before dropping your first pancake, toss a few drops of water into the pan if they dance and crackle, it's hot enough. Too hot, and the pancakes will burn on the outside while remaining raw on the inside.
Sprinkle chips right on the pancakes once batter has been poured into the pan. This prevents the chips from clumping in the bottom of the bowl.
Gems melt quickly. Put them after flipping or just after taking the pancakes out of the pan. They'll soften enough without getting too messy.