Skip to main content
gemstone

gemstone

15 3.3
A hard, shiny stone cut and polished for use in jewelry
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛmˌstoʊn/
translation icon : gema
  • The centerpiece of Tutankhamun's breastplate is made of this beautiful yellow gemstone Libyan glass.
  • gemstones set in jewelry

And then I just did this search on eBay for historical gemstones.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The gemstone is glistening.

  • And it has a little peridot gemstone, which is Otti's birthstone.

  • I found this small gemstone.

  • Aimeng Store is well known as a great place to buy natural gemstone jewelry online.

    Blog text (6)
  • Whether traditional, modern, or embellished with gemstones, these pieces of jewelry are a symbol of enduring beauty.

    Blog text (29)
  • Valuable imports travelled along this route, such as silk, spices, ivory, gemstones and even thoroughbred horses.

  • The ring was adorned with a stunning gemstone that sparkled in the sunlight.

  • She wore a necklace that featured a large gemstone surrounded by smaller diamonds.

  • Many people admire the beauty of gemstones used in handcrafted jewelry.

Synonyms

diamond
vsgemstone
489 1.4

A very hard clear stone used in jewelry

is the broad term covering many cut and polished ornamental minerals
jewel
vsgemstone
157 1.8

A precious or less valuable stone cut and polished for use in jewelry

is the same idea but often used in more technical contexts
pearl
vsgemstone
119 2.3

A smooth hard round jewel made inside an oyster

is the broader jewelry term that groups such valued ornamental materials
ruby
vsgemstone
79 4.3

A deep red precious stone used in jewelry

is the general class that includes this specific red precious variety
stone
vsgemstone
75 4.5

A hard, shiny gem cut and polished for jewelry

is the specific jewelry-focused term rather than any raw mineral
gem
vsgemstone
47 1.3

A small valuable stone cut and polished for use in jewelry or decoration

is the more formal term for that same cut and polished stone
jade
vsgemstone
40 4.9

A hard green stone used for jewelry and ornaments

is the broader jewelry term that covers this polished green material
emerald
vsgemstone
23 4.0

A bright green precious stone used in jewelry

is the general category that includes this exceptionally hard variety
sapphire
vsgemstone
18 4.8

A precious blue stone used in rings or necklaces

is the general jewelry class that contains such precious minerals
quartz
vsgemstone
16 3.7

A hard mineral usually clear or white found in many rocks and sand

is the jewelry-focused label that highlights cutting and polishing for wear
opal
vsgemstone
14 5.1

A shiny stone that shows bright flashes of colour and is used in jewellery

is the general cut and polished stone category that includes this mineral
garnet
vsgemstone
12 7.7

A hard red or reddish-brown stone used in jewelry and for sanding and cutting

is the umbrella term that includes these colored mineral varieties
moonstone
vsgemstone
8 7.8

A pale see-through stone that glows with a soft pearly light

is the wider class of polished stones that this feldspar belongs to
precious stone
vsgemstone
6 3.4

A rare valuable gem like a diamond used in jewelry

is broader, covering both very rare and less rare polished stones
zircon
vsgemstone
4 7.5

A hard natural stone with small crystals used as a gem and in furnaces

is the general jewelry category that also contains this mineral when polished
birthstone
vsgemstone
4 3.7

A gemstone for the month you were born that people often wear as jewelry

is the general term for cut stones not tied to calendar associations
goldstone
vsgemstone
3 9.9

A shiny brown glass with tiny metal sparkles used in jewelry

is the natural or cut stone category used for genuine mineral jewellery
star sapphire
vsgemstone
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A gem that shows a star of light on its surface when cut

is the general jewelry term that covers many special cut effects
semi-precious stone
vsgemstone
1 3.6

A stone like amethyst or turquoise used in jewelry that costs less than diamonds

covers both high and lower value polished stones rather than only lesser ones
chalcedony
vsgemstone
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A translucent, often milky stone that people use as a gem in rings and carvings

is the broader term covering many polished minerals including this variety
jasper stone
vsgemstone
1 7.4

A hard, colorful rock often red, brown or green used for jewelry and decoration

is the broader cut and polished stone concept that includes carved types
sunstone
vsgemstone
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A partly see-through gem with small shiny flakes that make it sparkle

is the common jewelry category that includes such sparkly varieties
rose quartz
vsgemstone
1 5.1

A pale pink see-through stone used for jewelry and decoration

is the wider polished stone category that includes colorful varieties
jadestone
vsgemstone
7.7

A hard green or white stone used for jewelry and carving

is the general class for polished stones that includes this material
greenstone
vsgemstone
  • New Zealand
8.1

A hard green stone used by Maori people for jewelry and carving

is the general jewelry term that includes such culturally specific materials
jewel of the first water
vsgemstone
  • Archaic
9.9

A person or thing of the very highest quality

is a general name for polished stones rather than an excellence metaphor
ruby spinel
vsgemstone
  • Specialized
8.1

A dark red gemstone that looks like a ruby but costs less

is the broader jewelry term that includes similar deep red stones
opaque gem
vsgemstone
6.7

A gemstone that does not let light pass through

is the usual jewelry term which can include both opaque and clear stones
sardonyx
vsgemstone
  • Specialized
9.9

A stone used in jewelry with red-brown and white or black layers

is the general cut and polished stone category that includes layered varieties

How Valuable

gemstone
15 3.3

Surface Forms

gemstone singular
gemstones plural

Morphology

gemstone = gem + stone (transparent) = gem + stone

The meaning is directly derived from the clear combination of 'gem' + 'stone' used conventionally to mean a cut or polished precious stone.

Etymology

Gemstone The word gemstone is simply gem + stone, and gem comes from Latin gemma, which meant 'jewel' or 'bud'. So a gemstone is a 'jewel stone', which is why the word means a precious, cut and polished stone used in jewelry.