Gemology
/dʒiːˈmɒlədʒi/noun
The study of gemstones, especially their identification and grading.
Did you know?The word is a modern scholarly formation, but its root gem comes from Latin gemma, a word that could mean both a precious stone and a bud, linking beauty, growth, and value in one ancient term.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
gemma
“a gem, jewel, or bud”
Middle French
French
gemme
“a gemstone or precious stone”
19th Century
English
gem
“a precious stone; later, something excellent”
Late 19th Century
English
-ology
“a field of study or science”
Modern English
English
gemology
“the study of gemstones”