rhizoverbBeta
DictionarygemPrecious stone
noun

gem

JEM/dʒem/

A beautiful stone prized for its exceptional value.

The green gem has crisp facets and a clear interior.

A single richly colored, cut emerald resting on a plain white surface, its crisp facets and transparent green interior clearly identifying a precious gemstone.
Etymology
gemLatinprecious stone, jewel

A gemma was a precious stone or jewel. Calling someone or something a “gem” transfers a jewel’s preciousness to a rare or especially excellent example.

In context

Rackham Graduate School - University of Michigan34:19
On the left is an opal gem that is of two kinds. One's called common opal and the other is called precious opal. And you can see this thing that is the dull gray, that is common opal.
From Blue Butterflies to New Materials and Medical Treatments

More examples

  • The jeweler sets a small gem into the gold ring.
  • She checks the gem for cracks before buying it.
  • Rubies and sapphires are among the gems in this collection.

Forms

gem · gems

Similar words

jewel
Usually suggests a cut or polished stone used in jewelry.
gemstone
Explicitly names the stone, avoiding gem's figurative uses.