crossword clue for gemstone – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "crossword clue for gemstone", you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of answers, categorized by their letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "crossword clue for gemstone" by Letter Count
4 Letters
RUBY: A precious red gemstone, often associated with love and passion.
OPAL: A hydrated amorphous form of silica, known for its unique play of color.
JADE: A green ornamental mineral, often used in carvings and jewelry.
5 Letters
AGATE: A common rock formation, a cryptocrystalline variety of silica, primarily chalcedony, characterized by its fineness of grain and brightness of color.
TOPAZ: A silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine, often used as a gemstone. It can be found in a variety of colors.
7 Letters
EMERALD: A green variety of beryl, valued as a gemstone. Its distinctive green color comes from traces of chromium or vanadium.
DIAMOND: A solid form of carbon with atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic, known for its exceptional hardness and high dispersion of light.
8 Letters
SAPPHIRE: A precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, typically blue but found in various colors.
AMETHYST: A violet variety of quartz, often used in jewelry. Its color is due to irradiation of iron impurities.
More About "crossword clue for gemstone"
Gemstones are a recurring and fascinating category in the world of crosswords. Their natural beauty, diverse origins, and wide range of names make them perfect candidates for challenging yet solvable clues. From the fiery red of a RUBY to the deep blue of a SAPPHIRE, or the shimmering play of color in an OPAL, each gemstone offers a unique set of letters and a distinct identity for crossword setters to utilize.
Solving clues related to gemstones often requires a blend of general knowledge and pattern recognition. Crossword compilers love to use them because they fit various lengths and often have interesting etymologies or historical contexts that can be subtly hinted at in the clue itself. Familiarity with common and less common gemstones can significantly enhance your ability to crack these types of clues, leading to a more satisfying solving experience.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Letter Count: Always start by checking the number of blank squares. This immediately eliminates many possibilities and narrows down your search to gemstones of a specific length.
- Look for Intersecting Clues: The most powerful tool in crosswords is using letters from already solved intersecting words. These letters provide crucial hints, often revealing the correct gemstone answer by process of elimination.
- Consider Associated Properties: Sometimes the clue for "gemstone" might include a hint about its color (e.g., "Green gemstone"), its hardness (e.g., "Hardest gemstone"), or its origin (e.g., "Australian gemstone"). Use these hints to pick the most accurate answer.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are gemstones common clues in crosswords?
Gemstones are popular crossword clues because they represent a diverse category of words, varying in length and letter patterns. They are generally well-known, yet specific enough to test vocabulary, and their rich cultural history often provides additional wordplay opportunities for setters.
How can I distinguish between similar gemstone answers in a crossword?
The key is to use cross-references from intersecting clues. Check the letter count of the blank spaces, and see which letters are already filled in from other answers. This process of elimination will narrow down the possibilities. Sometimes, the clue might also hint at a specific color or property unique to one gemstone.
Are there other types of natural world clues similar to gemstones?
Absolutely! Crosswords frequently feature clues related to the natural world. Look out for categories like trees (OAK, PINE, FIR), flowers (ROSE, LILY, DAISY), animals (LION, TIGER, BEAR), minerals (QUARTZ, MICA), and metals (GOLD, SILVER, COPPER). Familiarity with these broad categories can significantly speed up your solving process.