Jewelers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A career dedicated to the artistry and commerce of decorative objects crafted from valuable stones and metals
2. A field that encompasses the making, repairing, and retailing of ornamental pieces composed of gems and precious materials
3. Individuals who create, repair, or sell decorative pieces made with gems and precious metals

Etymology: "Jewelers" is the plural of "jeweler," a person who makes or sells precious ornaments. The singular came into English from Middle English "jueler," which was borrowed from Anglo-Norman "jueler" or Old French "juelier," a word built on "jouel" or "juel," meaning "jewel." The English spelling and the French form are close enough that the path is easy to follow: the trade name passed across the Channel with the jewels themselves. The "-er" ending is the familiar agent suffix, the same one that turns "bake" into "baker" or "farm" into "farmer." So the word is essentially "jewel" plus a suffix meaning "one who works with," a transparent construction that needed no special coinage. The plural simply adds "-s" to the existing noun, the standard English pattern.

Synonyms: goldsmiths, silversmiths, gemologists