semi precious stone crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're looking for answers to the clue "semi precious stone", you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of possible solutions, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get your puzzle solved quickly.
Solutions for "semi precious stone crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
JADE: A beautiful green ornamental stone often used in jewelry and carvings.
OPAL: A hydrated amorphous form of silica, known for its unique play-of-color.
5 Letters
AGATE: A common rock formation, a cryptocrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterized by its fineness of grain and brightness of color.
TOPAZ: A silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine, valued as a gemstone in various colors.
LAPIS: Lapis lazuli, a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone.
6 Letters
GARNET: A group of silicate minerals used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. Common varieties are red.
8 Letters
AMETHYST: A violet variety of quartz, often used in jewelry. It is the birthstone for February.
9 Letters
TURQUOISE: An opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium, prized as a gemstone for millennia.
More About "semi precious stone crossword clue"
The term "semi-precious stone" is widely used in the jewelry trade and common parlance, though gemologists prefer to use the term "gemstone" as the distinction between "precious" and "semi-precious" is largely historical and subjective. Historically, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds were classified as precious, while all others fell into the semi-precious category.
However, many "semi-precious" stones like high-quality opals, garnets, or amethysts can command higher prices than some lower-quality "precious" stones due to their unique beauty, rarity, or demand. In crosswords, these gems are a frequent clue topic, offering a rich vocabulary of names with varying letter counts, making them versatile for puzzle constructors.
Clues for semi-precious stones often refer to their color, such as "green gem" for JADE, "purple quartz" for AMETHYST, or "blue mineral" for LAPIS or TURQUOISE. Other clues might reference their properties like "iridescent gem" for OPAL, or their common uses in jewelry or adornments.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Letter Count First: When faced with a "semi precious stone" clue, immediately check the given letter count. This will drastically narrow down the possibilities among the many known gemstones.
- Think of Common Shorter Answers: In crosswords, short, frequently used words are key. For stones, think of 4-letter (JADE, OPAL), 5-letter (AGATE, TOPAZ, LAPIS), and 6-letter (GARNET) options first, as these are very common.
- Look for Color/Property Hints: Many stone clues will include a descriptive word related to their color (e.g., "green," "purple," "blue") or a key property (e.g., "iridescent," "banded"). Use these hints to differentiate between stones of the same length.
- Check Surrounding Letters: If you have a few letters already filled in from intersecting words, use them as a guide to complete the rest of the semi-precious stone's name. This is often the quickest way to confirm an answer.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between precious and semi-precious stones?
Historically, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds were considered 'precious' due to their rarity and hardness. All other gemstones were termed 'semi-precious.' This distinction is largely marketing-driven today, as many 'semi-precious' stones can be more valuable than 'precious' ones based on quality and demand.
Why are semi-precious stones common in crossword puzzles?
Semi-precious stones offer a wide variety of lengths and relatively common names (e.g., AGATE, OPAL, JADE), making them versatile answers for crossword constructors. Their varied origins and characteristics also provide interesting clue opportunities.
How can I identify a semi-precious stone in a crossword clue?
Look for clues related to color ('green stone'), origin ('mineral'), use ('jewelry stone'), or specific properties ('iridescent gem'). Common short answers like JADE, OPAL, AGATE are good to keep in mind, and context often helps narrow down the possibilities.