Definition

Noun: 1. A precious or semi-precious stone, especially when cut and polished for use in jewelry. A gemstone is a mineral, rock, or organic material that is valued for its beauty, rarity, and durability. It is typically cut and polished to be set into jewelry or other adornments.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The museum displayed a collection of rare and colorful gemstones.
  • Diamonds, rubies, and sapphires are classic examples of precious gemstones.
  • The jeweler carefully selected a flawless gemstone for the engagement ring.

Advanced Usage

• "Rough gemstone": An uncut, unpolished stone as it is found in nature.
  • The miner discovered a rough gemstone that would later be cut into a brilliant emerald.
• "Gemstone quality": A term used to describe a stone's characteristics (clarity, color, cut) that make it suitable for use in jewelry.
  • Not all crystals are of gemstone quality; many have imperfections.

Variants and Related Words

• Gem (n): A synonym for gemstone, often implying a cut and polished stone. It can also be used figuratively to describe a person or thing of great value.
  • That little bakery is a hidden gem.
• Jewel (n): Can refer to a gemstone, but more specifically to a gemstone that has been set into a piece of jewelry.
• Precious stone (n): A category of the most valuable gemstones, traditionally including diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
• Semi-precious stone (n): A traditional category for gemstones of commercial value other than the precious stones (e.g., amethyst, topaz, turquoise).

Synonyms

• Jewel
• Precious stone
• Semi-precious stone
• Stone (in a jewelry context)

Related Phrases

• "Set with gemstones": Describes a piece of jewelry into which gemstones have been placed.
  • The antique crown was set with priceless gemstones.

Noun

1. a crystalline rock that can be cut and polished for jewelry
   • he had the gem set in a ring for his wife
   • she had jewels made of all the rarest stones