gemstone

[ jem-stohn ]

noun

1. a precious or semiprecious stone that can be cut and polished for use as a gem.

gemstone

/ ˈdʒɛmˌstəʊn /

noun

1. a precious or semiprecious stone, esp one cut and polished for setting in jewellery lapidary

Word History and Origins

Origin of gemstone¹

before 1000; Middle English gimstone, Old English gimstān. See gem, stone

Example Sentences

Underpinning this transformation has been Botswana’s huge diamond reserves - measured by their value, the country is the world’s largest producer of the gemstone.

From BBC

Shaped and coloured like the country’s rare gemstone, tanzanite, the sparkling new railway terminal in Dar es Salaam is a symbol of Tanzania’s transport ambitions.

From BBC

To grow the gem, Ms Boons started with a ruby "seed" taken from waste gemstone offcuts.

From BBC

A grey and white piece of a cameo gemstone featuring Priapus - the Greek god of fertility - was posted by a user called "sultan1966" for just £40.

From BBC

But as eye-catching as the Elizabeth Stewart dress was, all eyes were on Seyfried's matching platinum hair and gemstone headpiece, which resembled leaves on a vine.

From BBC

Related Words

• bauble
• bead
• bling
• gem
• ornament
• stone
• trinket