boxofdelights

Hmm, lessee... for "jewel," I generally end up with a sort of one-and-a-half syllables, with the second being quick. If I'm speaking more slowly, it's likely to be two distinct syllables. When people say "jewlery" instead of "jewelry" that kind of bugs me, though I don't get too uptight over it, since even for me it is easier to say "jewlery" clearly than "jewelry."

"Poem" is definitely two. Again, the second gets a bit short shrift, but it's definitely there. I hear it shortened to what sounds like "pome" fairly often, but to my ear the difference is so slight, that it doesn't bother me much.

"Julia" is always three syllables for me, though if I'm talking fast the last two tend to get squished into one "ya".

"Danya" can go a couple of ways, mostly because I agree with your rule, that it's however Danya wants her name pronounced. If I haven't been told her preference, I'd be likely to go with two syllables, like "Tanya." Wouldn't be surprised if it's Dan-EYE-ah, though.

My first inclination for "Darya" would be DARia, being three syllables with sometimes the last two kind of squished together if I'm talking fast.