das / der  Juwel

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/juˈveːl/

💎 What Exactly is a Juwel?

The German word Juwel primarily has one meaning, closely related to precious stones and jewelry. However, there's a nuance regarding its article:

• das Juwel: This is the most common and standard form. It refers to a gemstone, particularly a cut and often set gemstone, which serves as or is part of a piece of jewelry. It can also more broadly refer to a particularly precious piece of jewelry.
  Example: Die Königin trug ein prachtvolles Juwel um den Hals. (The queen wore a magnificent jewel around her neck.)
• der Juwel: This form is very rare, often considered archaic or poetic. If used, it might sometimes refer to a male person considered particularly valuable or outstanding (e.g., "Er ist ein wahrer Juwel seiner Zunft." – He is a true gem of his guild. – though even here, "ein Juwel" with a neuter reference is often used). ⚠️ For the gemstone itself, "der Juwel" is unusual today and mostly incorrect. Its historical use as masculine has significantly declined in modern language.

Figuratively, "das Juwel" can also refer to something very valuable, beautiful, or unique that isn't necessarily a piece of jewelry (e.g., "Diese Altstadt ist ein wahres Juwel." – This old town is a true gem.).

📐 Grammar of Juwel: Articles and Cases

The declension of Juwel depends on the article used. "Das Juwel" is the standard form.

Das Juwel (neuter)

This is the common form for a gemstone or piece of jewelry.

Der Juwel (masculine - rare/poetic)

This form is very rare and primarily used in a poetic or figurative sense for a (male) person or a unique thing.

📝 Example Sentences

• Das Juwel funkelte im Sonnenlicht. (The jewel sparkled in the sunlight.)
• Der Wert des Juwels war unschätzbar. (The value of the jewel was priceless.)
• Sie zeigte mir stolz ihre Sammlung von Juwelen. (She proudly showed me her collection of jewels.)
• In alten Gedichten fand man manchmal die Erwähnung: „Der Juwel auf seiner Krone...“ (In old poems, one sometimes found the mention: "The jewel on his crown..." (as a poetic variant).)
• Man könnte sagen: „Dieser talentierte Künstler ist der Juwel unserer Stadt.“ (One could say: "This talented artist is the gem of our city." (figurative, rare).)

✨ Juwel in Action: How It's Used

Das Juwel is the everyday term when talking about gemstones or valuable jewelry.

• Pieces of jewelry: "Ihr Verlobungsring hatte ein beeindruckendes Juwel." (Her engagement ring had an impressive jewel.)
• Valuables: "Die Kronjuwelen bestehen aus vielen unschätzbaren Juwelen." (The crown jewels consist of many priceless jewels.)
• Figurative meaning (positive): "Diese historische Bibliothek ist ein Juwel der Stadt." (This historic library is a gem of the city.) Here, "das Juwel" refers to something unique and valuable.
• As part of compounds: Juwelier (jeweler - person or shop), Juweliergeschäft (jewelry store).

The use of der Juwel is, as mentioned, very limited:

• Poetic/Archaic: In older literature or poems, this form might appear to describe a particularly outstanding gemstone, often with a certain grandeur.
• Figurative for people (rare): Sometimes used to describe a male person of extraordinary worth or talent. Example: "Dieser junge Sänger, ein wahrer Juwel für die Opernbühne." (This young singer, a true gem for the opera stage.) Even here, "ein Juwel" (neuter) is more common.

🚨 Caution: In modern German, using "der Juwel" for a gemstone or piece of jewelry is mostly an indication of uncertainty or a mistake. Stick to "das Juwel".

Compared to Edelstein (gemstone), Juwel is often more specific, usually implying an already processed, cut, and possibly set stone, whereas Edelstein can also include the raw stone. Kleinod is a more formal, somewhat old-fashioned term for a piece of jewelry or a precious object and can be synonymous with Juwel.

🧠 Mnemonics for the Word Juwel

For the article das Juwel (standard):
"Das is das thing, das sparkles so beautifully – das Juwel!" (Emphasize 'das', which sounds like 'thus' or 'that'.) or
"It's das precious 'it' thing, das Juwel, safely kept in das museum."

For the meaning (precious stone/jewelry):
"A Juwel is so 'jewel-ous-ly' guarded because it's a valuable Edelstein (gemstone)."

For the rare form der Juwel (figurative for a person):
"Der Mann, der hero, der is a rare kind of Juwel." (To remember this form is rare and usually refers to people if used at all.)

↔️ Similar and Opposite: Synonyms & Antonyms for Juwel

Words that could be confused?

The word Juwelier (jeweler - person or shop) is often mentioned in the context of Juwelen but is not synonymous.

😂 A Little Jewel Joke

Deutsch:

Frage: Was ist der Lieblingssport eines Juweliers?
Antwort: Edelstein-Stoßen! 😉

English Translation:

Question: What is a jeweler's favorite sport?
Answer: Gem-shot-put! (A pun on Kugelstoßen - shot put, and Edelstein - gem) 😉

📜 A Poem About a Sparkling Juwel

Deutsch:

Das Juwel, so klar und rein,
Fängt ein den Sonnenschein.
Ein Funkeln, das die Augen blend’t,
Ein Schatz, den man Legende nennt.

Ob rot wie Glut, ob blau wie Meer,
Sein Wert ist groß, sein Glanz so hehr.
Ein kleines Ding, voll Zaubermacht,
Ein Stern geformt in tiefster Nacht.

English Translation:

The Juwel, so clear and pure,
Catches the sunshine, to be sure.
A sparkle that can blind the eyes,
A treasure told in legendary guise.

Whether red as ember, blue as sea,
Its worth is great, its sheen so free.
A little thing, with magic's might,
A star formed in the deepest night.

❓ Jewel Riddle: What Am I?

Deutsch:

Ich glitzere und funkle hell,
Bin kostbar, klein und doch so schnell
Im Herzen vieler Leute drin.
Geschliffen fein, bring ich Gewinn.
Man trägt mich stolz an Hand und Hals, Bin selten „der“, meist aber „das“.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Das Juwel

English Translation:

I glitter and I sparkle bright,
Am precious, small, yet quick as light
To capture hearts of many folks.
Finely cut, profit I invoke.
Worn proudly on hand and neck, alas,
I'm rarely "der", but mostly "das".

What am I?

Solution: Das Juwel (The Jewel)

ℹ️ Interesting Facts About Juwel

Etymology (Wortherkunft - Word Origin)

The word Juwel comes from Middle High German juwēl or juwēle. This, in turn, originates from Old French joel (later joyau in modern French), meaning "piece of jewelry" or "gem." The exact further origin is not entirely clear; it might go back to the Latin gaudium ("joy"), as jewelry brings joy, or to jocale (plural of jocalis, "belonging to play," "playful"), which could refer to ornamental objects.

Kronjuwelen (Crown Jewels)

A well-known term is Kronjuwelen (crown jewels). These are the regalia of royal or imperial power, such as crowns, scepters, orbs, etc., which are often set with valuable jewels and possess high symbolic and material value.