colored stone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical (Gemology/Jewellery), Descriptive
Quick answer
What does “colored stone” mean?
Any natural or artificially tinted mineral, rock, or gemstone, excluding diamonds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Any natural or artificially tinted mineral, rock, or gemstone, excluding diamonds.
A term used in gemology, jewellery, and decorative arts to refer to non-colorless gemstones, often implying value or aesthetic appeal. Can also refer to pieces of tinted rock used in landscaping or mosaics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British 'coloured stone', American 'colored stone'. The British spelling is more common in UK gemmology texts.
Connotations
Largely identical. In both varieties, it's a standard technical term in jewellery.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the larger commercial jewellery market discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “colored stone” in a Sentence
[Verb] + colored stone: set/mount/cut/polish a colored stone[Adjective] + colored stone: precious/translucent/opaque colored stonecolored stone + [of Noun]: a colored stone of great value, a colored stone of deep blueVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “colored stone” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The coloured-stone market is quite robust this season.
- It was a coloured-stone inlay in the wooden box.
American English
- She specializes in colored-stone appraisal.
- The colored-stone bracelet was her favorite.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In jewellery retail and wholesale: 'Our new collection features colored stones from Madagascar.'
Academic
In geology/gemmology: 'The inclusion patterns help identify the provenance of the colored stone.'
Everyday
Descriptive: 'She found a beautiful colored stone on the beach.'
Technical
In lapidary arts: 'The hardness of the colored stone determines the cutting technique.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colored stone”
- Using 'colorful stone' (implies multiple colors on one stone) instead of 'colored stone' (one predominant hue).
- Capitalising it as a proper noun (Colored Stone) unless referring to a specific brand or band name.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar, but 'gemstone' is broader and can include diamonds. 'Colored stone' typically excludes diamonds, focusing on gems like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.
In technical/jewellery contexts, it usually implies a natural or genuine stone. For imitations, terms like 'simulated colored stone', 'glass', or 'paste' are more accurate.
Traditionally, 'precious' stones are ruby, sapphire, emerald, and sometimes alexandrite. All other colored gemstones (e.g., amethyst, topaz, garnet) were called 'semi-precious'. This distinction is now considered outdated and commercially misleading by many gemologists.
No, in the context of gemology and jewellery, it is a standard, neutral technical term. It is unrelated to and should not be confused with the dated/offensive racial term.
Any natural or artificially tinted mineral, rock, or gemstone, excluding diamonds.
Colored stone is usually formal, technical (gemology/jewellery), descriptive in register.
Colored stone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌləd stəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌlərd stoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a kaleidoscope — it's full of colored shapes. A 'colored stone' is like a single, solid piece from that kaleidoscope.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS COLOR (in contrast to the traditional 'VALUE IS CLARITY/PURITY' for diamonds); BEAUTY IS NATURALLY TINTED.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'colored stone' MOST precisely used?