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Synonyms

gemstone

American  
[jem-stohn] / ˈdʒɛmˌstoʊn /

noun

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

gemstone British  
/ ˈdʒɛmˌstəʊn /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of gemstone

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rarely used in jewelry, the dark navy of sodalite adds an unexpected layer of depth to Color Blossom’s existing luminous gemstone lineup.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

The structure included a rounded base and a top with multiple flat faces resembling a cut gemstone.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026

These include unusual ones such as the gemstone eudialyte and steenstrupine, which contains other rare earths used in high-tech devices.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

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 • May 6, 2024

By the time Werfel opened the front door, the gemstone was back in its casket and Spurge was sitting nearby, looking slant-wise at a wall.

From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.