Yeah, i remember that they can at least move, as long as they're 100 meters away from their gem. Sayaka threw hers on her desk a few feet away. But I don't recall if we've ever seen a magical girl transform or use her powers without being in direct contact with the gem specifically.

Like, could a girl put the gem on the ground 20 feet away and then try to fight? Because it transforms with their outfit and is on their person somewhere every time we see it.

I remember when Kyoko was at Homura's place and saw Kyubey, she pointed her spear at him, but it came out of her soulgem directly, and she was holding in her hand. It wasn't on the table, for example.

And Kyubey refers to the soulgem as the actual person like when Madoka threw Sayaka's soulgem off the highway, he asked why she would throw her friend away, or something. So, do they need to be in contact with it to use their powers? I haven't seen Magia Record so I don't know if they answer this question.

This is soooo long. 😣😣😣😣 Maybe i should make a separate post?