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Pearl vs Jewel - What's the difference?

pearl | jewel |

In figuratively terms the difference between pearl and jewel

is that pearl is something precious while jewel is anything considered precious or valuable.

As nouns the difference between pearl and jewel

is that pearl is a shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found in the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of certain bivalve mollusks, especially in the pearl oysters and river mussels, and sometimes in certain univalves. It is usually due to a secretion of shelly substance around some irritating foreign particle. Its substance is the same as nacre, or mother-of-pearl. Round lustrous pearls are used in jewellery while jewel is a precious or semi-precious stone; gem, gemstone.

As verbs the difference between pearl and jewel

is that pearl is to set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively while jewel is to bejewel; to decorate or bedeck with jewels or gems.

As proper nouns the difference between pearl and jewel

is that pearl is {{given name|female|from=English}} from the English noun pearl while Jewel is {{given name|female|from=English}} from the noun jewel, used since the end of the 19th century.

pearl

English

(wikipedia pearl)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found in the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of certain bivalve mollusks, especially in the pearl oysters and river mussels, and sometimes in certain univalves. It is usually due to a secretion of shelly substance around some irritating foreign particle. Its substance is the same as nacre, or mother-of-pearl. Round lustrous pearls are used in jewellery.
  • (figuratively) Something precious.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl .
  • * 1920 , (Herman Cyril McNeile), Bulldog Drummond Chapter 1
    • Hugh helped himself to bacon. "My dear fellow, she can think what she likes so long as she continues to grill bacon like this. Your wife is a treasure, James—a pearl amongst women; and you can tell her so with my love."
  • A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing liquid for e.g. medicinal application.
  • Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
  • A whitish speck or film on the eye.
    • (Milton)
  • A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.
  • A light-colored tern.
  • One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.
  • (typography) Five-point size of type, between agate and diamond.
  • A fringe or border.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively.
  • To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley.
  • To resemble pearl or pearls.
  • To give or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.
  • (surfing) to dig the nose of one's surfboard into the water, often on takeoff.
  • * 1999, Joanne VanMeter [http://www.letsplay.net/archive99/020399.shtml]:
    • Used a pointed tip today and learned why I kept pearling with my round tipped board. Round noses like to dig into the water, causing frustrating wipeouts.

    Derived terms

    (Terms derived from the noun "pearl") * cultured pearl * mabe pearl * mother-of-pearl * pearl ash * pearl diver * pearl barley * pearl cotton * pearl essence * pearl gray * pearl millet * pearl necklace * pearl of wisdom * pearl onion * pearl oyster * perlemoen * pearler * pearlescent * pearling * pearly * pearly king * pearly nautilus * pearly queen * pearly whites * seed pearl * sulfur pearl

    Anagrams

    *

    jewel

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A precious or semi-precious stone; gem, gemstone.
  • A valuable object used for personal ornamentation, especially one made of precious metals and stones; a piece of jewellery.
  • * ante'' 1611 , (William Shakespeare), '', lines 188–9:
    • Iachimo: 'Tis plate of rare device, and jewels / Of rich and exquisite form, their values great.
  • (figuratively) Anything considered precious or valuable.
  • * Shakespeare
    • our prince (jewel of children)
  • A bearing for a pivot in a watch, formed of a crystal or precious stone.
  • (slang) The clitoris.
  • * 2008 , Another Time, Another Place: Five Novellas
    • The area between her eyebrows wrinkled with the increasing circular motions her two fingers made on her jewel .

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * bejewel * jeweler, jeweller * jewelled * jewellery, jewelry * jewel in the crown

    Verb

  • To bejewel; to decorate or bedeck with jewels or gems.