Gemcutter

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A craftsman who cuts and polishes precious stones to enhance their appearance and value
2. An artisan skilled in shaping raw gems into polished jewels through precise cutting techniques
3. A worker specializing in fashioning gemstones by trimming and refining them to bring out their brilliance

Etymology: "Gemcutter" is a plain compound: "gem" joined to "cutter," the agent noun from "cut." Its parts are both old English words, and the combination describes exactly what the person does, a cutter of gems. The word's history is therefore less about a single coinage than about two common words meeting to name a specialized trade. The more useful thing to know is how "cutter" itself works. It comes from the verb "cut," so a cutter is simply one who cuts, and the same pattern gives us tailors, sawyers and other trade names. Attaching it to "gem" narrows the sense to a craftsman working on precious stones rather than on cloth or timber, which is why the compound needs no further explanation.

Synonyms: lapidary, gem technician