lost jewel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost jewel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something valuable that has been misplaced or is no longer in one's possession, often metaphorically. Example: "After years of searching, she finally found the lost jewel of her childhood memories hidden in an old box."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Then it seemed Liverpool's opener would be a lost jewel that would vanish in defeat.

Independent

"Are you surprised that Russia treats Central Europe as a lost jewel?" Mr. Naimski asked.

The New York Times

The majority of the big stones came from the 1961 demolition of the old Metropolitan Building, the lost jewel of the Minneapolis skyline.

The New York Times

Eddie's lyrics had the same partly precise, partly mystified quality: "Where did our love go?" he had Diana ask, and the question made you turn your head and join the effort to locate that lost jewel.

The New Yorker

When Colin and Susan are chased by dark elves, the svart-alfar, they are rescued by Cadellin Silverbrow, the wizard who has been searching for the lost jewel for more than 100 years.

The Guardian - Books

The first time I saw it was like uncovering a long lost jewel … This is a painting which has been in the same private collection for over 40 years".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

What makes him such a magical novelist is the same impulse that makes him feel, "turning the pages of a beautiful Chicago Tribune volume from 1909, as if I'd stumbled on a lost, jewel-encrusted city in the jungle".

The New York Times - Books

He was fictional, the antihero of a satirical novel about a quest for lost jewels called "The 12 Chairs," but his casual disdain for the law reflected a widely held cynicism here.

The New York Times

The audience enter three at a time through the stage door and after that they can wander around the building, where they may stumble across a vodka den in the orchestra pit, witness Raskolnikov's gruesome murder of the pawnbroker in one of the theatre dressing rooms, or peer underneath the stage and glimpse the murdered woman searching for her lost jewels and lost life.

The Guardian

Lord Conrad Black Conrad Black, the former chief executive of media empire Hollinger International, has lost the jewel of his crown to the Barclay brothers.

Forbes

But what is unquestionably clear is that the city of Atlanta and the entire culinary world have truly lost a jewel.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "lost jewel" to evoke a sense of nostalgia or irretrievable value in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "lost jewel" in overly sentimental or predictable situations. Overusing the phrase reduces its impact and can make writing appear unoriginal. Strive for fresh metaphors to convey loss or value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost jewel" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or an appositive, providing additional information about a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost jewel" is a metaphor used to describe something valuable that has been lost. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase most commonly appears in News & Media contexts. It carries a neutral to formal tone and effectively conveys a sense of regret or nostalgia over something precious that is now gone. While grammatically sound and versatile, overuse in predictable situations should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "forgotten treasure" or "misplaced gem" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forgotten treasure

Emphasizes the value and neglect over time.

misplaced gem

Focuses on the act of losing something precious.

vanished treasure

Highlights the disappearance of something valuable.

irretrievable artifact

Stresses the impossibility of recovering a valuable object.

bygone treasure

Implies that the treasure belongs to the past.

relic of the past

Focuses on something that belonged to the past.

lost artifact

Focuses on something from history being lost.

unrecoverable asset

Implies financial loss and impossibility of recovery.

gone but not forgotten

Emphasizes remembrance despite absence.

treasure gone astray

Focuses on treasure that has been led in the wrong path

FAQs

How can I use "lost jewel" in a sentence?

You can use "lost jewel" to describe something valuable that has been irretrievably lost or something that was once cherished but is now gone. For example: "The old theater was the "lost jewel" of the city's cultural scene."

What phrases are similar to "lost jewel"?

Similar phrases include "forgotten treasure", "misplaced gem", or "vanished treasure". All suggest something precious is missing.

Is "lost jewel" formal or informal?

The phrase "lost jewel" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends on the specific situation and audience, with it being suitable for creative writing, news articles, and even some business presentations.

Can "lost jewel" refer to a person?

Yes, "lost jewel" can be used to describe a person, typically someone who was greatly valued and is now deceased or absent. For example: "She was the "lost jewel" of our family, deeply missed by all."