Inklingo

How to Say "gems" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “gems” is “joyas” — use 'joyas' when referring to jewelry in general, which often includes precious stones but can also encompass other valuable decorative items..

English → Spanish

joyas

HOY-ahs/ˈxo.ʝas/

NounA1General
Use 'joyas' when referring to jewelry in general, which often includes precious stones but can also encompass other valuable decorative items.
A simple gold necklace with a large pendant and a matching gold ring with a ruby, resting on a small purple velvet cushion.

Examples

Ella heredó las joyas de su abuela.

She inherited her grandmother's jewelry.

Perdió algunas joyas caras en el viaje.

She lost some expensive jewels on the trip.

Compramos joyas de plata en el mercado local.

We bought silver jewelry at the local market.

Plural Form

Remember that 'joyas' is the plural form of 'joya' (a single piece of jewelry or gem). When referring to the entire category of things you wear, Spanish often uses the plural 'joyas'.

Using 'joyería' instead of 'joyas'

Mistake: “La joyería es muy bonita. (Intended: The jewelry is very pretty.)”

Correction: Las joyas son muy bonitas. ('Joyería' means the jewelry store or the craft of jewelry making, not the items themselves.)

piedras

pyeh-drahs/ˈpjéðɾas/

NounA1General
Use 'piedras' primarily for loose precious stones or when referring to stones in a more general, less specific sense, like those found in nature.
A close-up illustration of a small collection of smooth, naturally colored stones (gray, brown, and white) resting on a patch of light brown soil.

Examples

Los niños recogieron muchas piedras en la playa.

The children collected many stones on the beach.

Hay que tener cuidado con las piedras en el camino.

You have to be careful with the rocks on the road.

Ella lleva un collar con piedras preciosas.

She is wearing a necklace with precious gems.

Feminine Plural

This word is the plural form of 'piedra' (stone). Remember that 'piedra' is always a feminine word, so any words describing it must also be feminine (e.g., 'piedras blancas').

Countable Noun

'Piedras' is a countable noun, meaning you can count individual stones. Use numbers or quantity words like 'muchas' (many) with it.

Gender confusion

Mistake: “Los piedras son grandes.”

Correction: Las piedras son grandes. (Since 'piedra' is feminine, the article 'las' must be used.)

diamantes

dee-ah-MAHN-tays/djaˈmantes/

NounB1General
Use 'diamantes' specifically when referring to diamonds, either as individual stones or as the material making up jewelry.
A close-up view of three brilliant-cut diamonds, showing their facets catching the light and sparkling against a simple background.

Examples

Ella heredó un collar con incrustaciones de diamantes muy grandes.

She inherited a necklace encrusted with very large diamonds.

Necesitas más diamantes en tu mano para ganar la partida.

You need more diamonds in your hand to win the game (of cards).

Los diamantes son los minerales más duros conocidos.

Diamonds are the hardest known minerals.

Plural Noun Rule

Since the singular word 'diamante' ends in a vowel ('e'), you form the plural by simply adding '-s' to the end.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “La diamante”

Correction: El diamante (singular) or Los diamantes (plural). Even though it ends in '-e', it is a masculine word.

perlas

/PEHR-lahs//ˈpeɾlas/

NounA2General
Use 'perlas' to refer specifically to pearls, or metaphorically for something precious and beautiful, like wise words or excellent ideas.
A collection of shiny white round pearls resting inside a large open oyster shell on a sandy seabed.

Examples

Ella heredó un hermoso collar de perlas de su abuela.

She inherited a beautiful pearl necklace from her grandmother.

Gotas de sudor, como pequeñas perlas, cubrían su frente.

Drops of sweat, like small beads, covered his forehead.

Sus palabras eran perlas de sabiduría.

His words were gems of wisdom.

Making it Plural

Since 'perla' ends in a vowel, we simply add an '-s' to make it plural: 'perlas'.

Jewelry vs. Loose Stones

Learners often confuse 'joyas' and 'piedras'. Remember that 'joyas' refers to finished pieces of jewelry, while 'piedras' can mean loose stones or just rocks. If you're talking about a necklace or ring, 'joyas' is usually the better choice.

Related Translations

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