Ornamental work made with gems; jewelry or decorative objects set with precious stones.
From gem plus work (something made or constructed). This compound noun emerged as gem-setting became a recognized craft deserving its own term.
Medieval gemwork wasn't just about beauty—craftspeople believed gems had magical and medicinal properties, so arranging them in patterns created talismans and healing objects! A crown's gemwork might be deliberately designed to align with astrological configurations.
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