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Glite Dictionary
water sapphire

water sapphire

9.9
A deep blue gemstone made from the mineral cordierite and used in jewelry
  • noun
  • /ˈwɔːtər ˈsæfaɪər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : safiro de agua
  • He gave her a ring adorned with a rare water sapphire.

Examples

  • The necklace featured a single water sapphire set in silver.

  • Many jewelers recommend water sapphires for their beauty.

  • Collectors prize water sapphires for their unique blue-violet color.

  • The water sapphire sparkled under the sunlight.

  • Collectors prize water sapphires for their unique blue-violet color.

  • He gave her a ring adorned with a rare water sapphire.

  • The necklace featured a single water sapphire set in silver.

Synonyms

iolite
vswater sapphire
9.7

A blue or violet gem used in jewellery

is a deep blue variety rather than a broader blue or violet range
cordierite
vswater sapphire
  • Specialized
9.9

A blue natural stone often used as a gem

is a specific deep blue form of that mineral prized for jewelry

Surface Forms

water sapphire singular
water sapphires plural

Morphology

water + sapphire

A B1 learner who knows 'water' and 'sapphire' can reasonably infer this refers to a bluish or watery-coloured gemstone (sapphire), so the broad meaning is derivable from the constituents. However, the precise mineralogical identity (a variety of cordierite rather than true corundum) and the special name are not predictable from the parts, so the transparency is only partial.

Etymology

The name water sapphire may come from the way the stone looks: its deep blue color reminds people of clear water and of a sapphire gem. So the name helps people remember it is a blue gemstone, even if it is not a 'real sapphire'.