Jewel vs. Precious stone

[Jack8rkin]

Hello everyone!

What's the difference between a jewel and a precious stone?

What's better for use in an instruction for accounting?

Differences in AmE and BrE usage?

Thank you.

 

[BobK]

Apart from the obvious difference that 'jewel' can be used metaphorically, 'jewel' is an all-embracing term for both precious stones (rubies, diamonds and the like) and 'semi-precious stones' (agates, opals and the like); and perhaps also for something that's not a stone at all (like a pearl).

b

PS I say 'perhaps' because I'm just not sure. I'm sure some web-page out there will explain aNY differences there may be. For example, there is something called 'costume jewellery' which uses materials that probably wouldn't be called 'jewels' at all.

 

[Jack8rkin]

Thank you.
I'm not speaking of any sort of metaphoric usage of the word 'jewel'.
It's all about regulations and rules.

The context is like this:

Rules for Accounting and Storing of Precious Metals, Jewels/Presious Stones and Products of Them, as well as for Maintaining Respective Reports

There is also another word -- "Gem".

So, what to choose for the instruction?

 

[SoothingDave]

Could it be that "precious stones" are the raw material and "jewels" are the finished product?

 

[Jack8rkin]

According to LDOCE:

jewel a valuable stone, such as a diamond : He had a large fortune in gold and jewels. | the crown jewels (= the crown and other valuable objects worn by the king or queen on important royal occasions ) | a jewel thief
precious stone a rare and valuable jewel such as a diamond or an emerald : The handle of the sword was decorated with precious stones.
gem ( also gemstone ) a jewel that has been cut into a special shape : The cross had large red gems set into it. | Her eyes were shining like gemstones.
semi-precious stone a valuable stone, but one that is not as rare or valuable as a diamond, ruby, emerald etc : Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious stone that was often used by the ancient Egyptians.
solitaire technical a single jewel, especially a large diamond : a gold ring with a diamond solitaire

I guess "jewel" is the right term for my instruction. Do you agree?

 

[5jj]

I guess "jewel" is the right term for my instruction. Do you agree?

How about 'Jewels and Precious Stones'?

 

[Jack8rkin]

Well, I guess I can't use this formulation in the translation... The term that is most suitable in the form for the russian expression is 'precious stones'. But according to the LDOCE, the sence is better passed over by the term 'jewel'.

 

[freezeframe]

If what you're translating is Драгоценные камни, then you should use the word gemstones.

 

[Jack8rkin]

Yep, it's Драгоценные камни. (Speak Russian too?)


Anyway, how can a product be made of a gemstone? I mean jemstone is a finished product or a semi-finished product to be set into somewhere.
I guess the instruction is not only about the stones cut to a certain shape. It also includes raw materials.
I need a wider term here -- wider than just a jemstone.

Well, I may be wrong, 'cause concepts differ from country to country.
I base my opinion on the info from LDOCE.

Thank you!

 

[freezeframe]

Yep, it's Драгоценные камни. (Speak Russian too?)


Anyway, how can a product be made of a gemstone? I mean jemstone is a finished product or a semi-finished product to be set into somewhere.
I guess the instruction is not only about the stones cut to a certain shape. It also includes raw materials.
I need a wider term here -- wider than just a jemstone.

Well, I may be wrong, 'cause concepts differ from country to country.
I base my opinion on the info from LDOCE.

Thank you!

You may of course have your opinion, but gemstones is how драгоценные камни is translated from Russian into English.

Gemstones includes unprocessed minerals. These are called raw gemstones.

 

[Jack8rkin]

Longman lies, then?

However, this is what is written in Merriam-Webster's:

"gemstone
:a mineral or petrified material that when cut and polished can be used in jewelry"

"jewel
1 : an ornament of precious metal often set with stones or decorated with enamel and worn as an accessory of dress
3 : a precious stone : GEM"


"gem
1 a : JEWEL b : a precious or sometimes semiprecious stone cut and polished for ornament"


I guess Longman is more British-specific in the explanations I posted in this thread.

 

[freezeframe]

Longman lies, then?

Go with Longman, then.

 

[Jack8rkin]

I'd rather go with the truth.


Amicus Plato sed magis amica veritas.

 

[5jj]

I'd rather go with the truth.

"What is truth?" Pilate asked.

The only absolute in this case would be if there were an internationally accepted list of definitions of words in the gem/gemstone/jewel/precious stone trade. If there is one, fine. If not, we have to do the best we can.

 

[Jack8rkin]

In Russian, the one of the words denoting "the truth" -- istina -- has the root meaning "to look for, to seek".
There is also a saying that in translation would sound as:
"There is no truth in the legs/feet" with the meaning that one cannot attain for the truth while just walking.

In the cases as this one I always recall a story about wisemen and an elephant in the dark room. They all touched differents parts of the elephant and named the object -- the elephant -- anything but the elephant.
The truth was revealed when the light came on.

So, thanks for help and shedding the light upon the object!
Great thing is when you are understood.
There is only one thing for me and its to hope that my translation will be understood... properly understood.

 

[freezeframe]

"What is truth?" Pilate asked.

"You can't handle the truth!" Jack Nicholson replied.

:-D