1. A precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewellery
   "The engagement ring featured a brilliant gem";
   - jewel, precious stone
    
2. Art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
   "The museum's collection included many gems of Renaissance painting";
   - treasure
    
3. A crystalline rock that can be cut and polished for jewellery
   "he had the gem set in a ring for his wife";
   - gemstone, stone
    
4. A brilliant or much-loved person who is highly valued
   "She's a real gem, always willing to help others";
   - jewel, treasure [informal], pearl [informal]
    
5. A small but valuable piece of information or advice
   "gems of wisdom";
   - nugget, pearl

Derived forms: gems

Type of: art, crystal, fine art, individual, jewellery [Brit, Cdn], jewelry [N. Amer], mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul

Part of: jewellery [Brit, Cdn], jewelry [N. Amer]

Encyclopedia: Gem, Ohio