Definition

1. Noun:
   • A precious stone that is a valuable part of a sovereign's regalia: A crown jewel is a specific, highly valuable gemstone (like a diamond or ruby) that is part of the official collection of jewels owned by a monarch or state, often used in coronations and other ceremonial occasions.
   • The most desirable assets of a corporation: In a business context, a crown jewel refers to the most valuable, profitable, or strategically important part of a company's assets, operations, or subsidiaries.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Royal Context):
  • The Koh-i-Noor diamond is a famous crown jewel of the British monarchy.
  • The crown jewels are kept under heavy security in the Tower of London.
• Noun (Business Context):
  • The pharmaceutical division is considered the company's crown jewel, generating most of its profits.
  • In the takeover attempt, the acquirer was primarily interested in the target firm's crown jewel: its patent portfolio.

Advanced Usage

• "To protect the crown jewels": In business, this phrase means to safeguard the most critical assets, especially during a hostile takeover or financial crisis.
  • The management enacted a "poison pill" strategy to protect the company's crown jewels from the raider.
• Figurative Use: The term can be used figuratively for any supremely valuable or prized possession of a person or group.
  • For the local community, the historic library is its crown jewel.

Variants and Related Words

• Crown jewels (plural noun): The collective term for all the ceremonial objects, including crowns, scepters, orbs, and gemstones, associated with a monarchy.
  • The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are a major tourist attraction.
• Jewel in the crown: A common idiom with a similar meaning, often used to describe the most valuable or successful part of something larger.
  • The flagship store is the jewel in the crown of the retail chain.

Synonyms

• Treasure: Something of great worth or value.
• Gem: Something prized for its beauty or perfection (used figuratively in business).
• Prized asset: A highly valued possession or resource.
• Centerpiece: The most important or attractive item in a collection.

Related Idioms

• The jewel in the crown: The most attractive or valuable part of something.
  • The new research campus is the jewel in the crown of the university's expansion plan.

Noun

1. a precious stone that is a valuable part of a sovereign's regalia
2. the most desirable assets of a corporation
   • their crown jewels figured prominently in the takeover attempt