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

The method challenges the notion of man-made gemstones being synthetic, she added.

From BBC

I place pink gemstones on my heart chakra as I sleep.

From Los Angeles Times

He says we will see brightly coloured gemstones like rubies, emeralds, and sapphires take the spotlight and "a lot of asymmetrical designs and chunky, unconventional shapes".

From BBC

Related Words

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