gemstone

noun

gem·​stone ˈjem-ˌstōn How to pronounce gemstone (audio)
Synonyms of gemstonenext
: a mineral or petrified material that when cut and polished can be used in jewelry

Synonyms of gemstone

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of gemstone in a Sentence

traditionally, the gemstone for someone born in May is an emerald
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jenner, known for splashing out on lavish events, turned to colorful rhinestone decor to celebrate the milestone, and even plastered gemstones across plastic cups and one of her two birthday cakes. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 On her left hand, the Grease actress also wore a statement ring featuring a large turquoise gemstone. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026 That helps explain the vast selection of RCPO watches at the roadshow event featuring blinding amounts of gemstones, esoteric stone dials and paperwork validating that they were restored exclusively in Geneva at the brand’s Restoration Atelier. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026 My journey with gemstones really started with the Pressurized Earrings, the soda tabs. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gemstone

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gemstone was before the 12th century

Rhymes for gemstone

See All Rhymes for gemstone

Browse Nearby Words

gem stick
gemstone
gemul
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gemstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gemstone. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

gemstone

noun
gem·​stone ˈjem-ˌstōn How to pronounce gemstone (audio)
: a mineral that when cut and polished can be used in jewelry

More from Merriam-Webster on gemstone

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gemstone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All