DictionarysolitaireSingle gemstone
noun

solitaire

A gemstone set alone in a piece of jewelry.

A diamond solitaire sparkles at the center of her gold ring.

Etymology

French solitaire means solitary or alone. The jewelry sense directly describes a stone set by itself rather than in a cluster.

More examples

  • She chooses a sapphire solitaire for her pendant.
  • The jeweler resets the solitaire in a simple platinum band.
  • These solitaires come in several shapes, including oval and pear.

Forms

solitaire · solitaires

Similar words

gemstone
Names any precious or semiprecious stone, regardless of setting.
jewel
Can mean a precious stone or an entire ornament.