Word
gemstone
Phoneticsgem·stone, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒɛmˌstoʊn/
UK/dʒˈɛmstəʊn/
Definition
n. a hard, beautiful mineral that is used to make jewelry. It is usually colored and has a shiny surface.
n. a naturally occurring mineral that is cut and polished for use in jewelry or as a decorative object. Often distinguished by its hardness, luster, and aesthetic appeal.
Examples
“Diamond is the hardest gemstone in the world.”
“The jeweler carefully examined the rough gemstone to determine if it was suitable for cutting into a ring.”
“While many minerals are beautiful, only those with specific optical properties and sufficient hardness are classified as gemstones and valued for their use in fine jewelry.”
Examples
simple
“Diamond is the hardest gemstone in the world.”
contextual
“The jeweler carefully examined the rough gemstone to determine if it was suitable for cutting into a ring.”
complex
“While many minerals are beautiful, only those with specific optical properties and sufficient hardness are classified as gemstones and valued for their use in fine jewelry.”
Real-World Examples
“The most typical coating for styling plates is ceramic, though you may also see sericite or the gemstone tourmaline.” Etymology
From Middle English gimstone, alteration (due to Middle English gemme) of earlier ȝimston, ȝimstan, from Old English ġimstān, ġymstān (“gem; jewel; precious stone”), equivalent to gem + stone. Compare Icelandic gimsteinn (“jewel; gem”), Faroese gimsteinur (“jewel, precious stone”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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