lapis or peridot crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're tackling a puzzle and landed on "lapis or peridot crossword clue," you're in the right place. We provide accurate and comprehensive solutions to help you complete your crossword with ease.
Solutions for "lapis or peridot crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
GEM: Both lapis lazuli and peridot are types of gemstones, highly valued for their aesthetic appeal and use in jewelry. This is a very common answer for clues about precious or semi-precious stones.
5 Letters
STONE: Lapis lazuli and peridot are both naturally occurring mineral stones. This general term is often used in crosswords to refer to any type of rock or mineral, especially those used for decorative purposes.
JEWEL: A jewel is an ornament of value, often a precious or semi-precious stone cut and polished for use in jewelry. This term perfectly encompasses both lapis lazuli and peridot in their ornamental context.
More About "lapis or peridot crossword clue"
The clue "lapis or peridot" points to a common category that both these unique materials fall into. Lapis lazuli, with its striking deep blue color often flecked with golden pyrite, has been prized since ancient times for its beauty and use in ornaments, sculptures, and pigments. It's technically a rock, a composite of several minerals, but functions as a semi-precious stone.
Peridot, on the other hand, is a vibrant green gemstone, a variety of the mineral olivine. It's one of the few gemstones that appears in only one color naturally, though the intensity of its green hue can vary. Both lapis lazuli and peridot are widely used in modern and historical jewelry, making "gem," "stone," or "jewel" fitting answers to classify them within the crossword context.
Understanding the broader categories of these items can significantly help in solving similar clues. Crosswords frequently test your knowledge of synonyms and classifications of common objects and concepts.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Word Length: Always check the number of letters required. For a clue like "lapis or peridot," a 3-letter answer points quickly to "GEM," while longer lengths open up options like "STONE" or "JEWEL."
- Consider Broad Categories: Crossword constructors often use specific examples (like lapis or peridot) to hint at a broader category. Think about what these items are collectively.
- Look for Synonyms: For stone-related clues, consider common synonyms for gems, rocks, and minerals. Sometimes the most obvious answer is the correct one.
- Use Cross-References: If you have a few letters filled in from intersecting clues, use them to narrow down possibilities for "lapis or peridot." This is crucial for confirming your answer.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lapis lazuli?
Lapis lazuli is a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone since antiquity. It is known for its intense blue color and often contains specks of pyrite, giving it a golden sheen. It's historically popular for jewelry and ornamental objects.
What is peridot?
Peridot is a gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. It is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color: green. The intensity and shade of green depend on the iron content in the crystal structure, ranging from yellowish-green to brownish-green.
Are lapis and peridot considered precious or semi-precious stones?
Traditionally, peridot is classified as a semi-precious gemstone, as is lapis lazuli. The 'precious' category is usually reserved for diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. However, their value and beauty are highly regarded in jewelry.
How can I improve my crossword-solving skills for specific clues like this?
To improve, focus on building your general knowledge, especially in categories like geology, history, and common objects. Pay attention to clue phrasing, and practice recognizing when a clue refers to a specific item versus a broader class. Regularly solving crosswords will naturally expand your vocabulary and pattern recognition.