Is there a word for people who are addicted to jewelry?
A gold-lover specifically is referred to as a crysophilist. Is there a word for jewelry lovers in general (diamonds, pearls, rubies, platinum ;not restricted to gold alone) to the point where the "love" has turned into an addiction?
Usage Example:
My aunt is a real ________. She would even go without food for days but not without adorning herself with precious metals and rare gems.
I reckon if such a word exists, it would possibly end with a phile. Any suggestions (either a noun or an adjective)?
Solution 1:
My aunt is a real jewel freak. She would even go without food for days but not without adorning herself with precious metals and rare gems.
FREAK
a : an ardent enthusiast film freaks
b : a person who is obsessed with something a control freak
Merriam-Webster
Also, jewel fiend
FIEND
a : a person extremely devoted to a pursuit or study : fanatic a golf fiend
b : an addict a dope fiend
Merriam-Webster
Solution 2:
1. gemmaphile (polite) or 2. Jewel-junkie (impolite)
gem derives from the Latin gemma according to Etymoline
a precious stone" (especially when cut or polished), c. 1300, probably from Old French gemme (12c.), from Latin gemma "precious stone, jewel,"
phile as we all know derives from the Greek philos, loving (See dictionary.com)
But this combines a Latin root with a Greek root, which I once read is not quite proper. However, Wikipedia on Hybrid Word gives many examples, e.g., automobile and bigamy.
- The impolite word, jewel-junkie
Jewel does not need to be defined. Junkie, as defined by Dictionary.com
a person with an insatiable craving for something: a chocolate junkie
from Merriam-Webster
a person who gets an unusual amount of pleasure from or has an unusual amount of interest in something: television news junkie
The first definition of junkie is "drug addict", but the second definition in these and several other references is to a legal, even innocent, craving.
Jewel-junkie would be OK in the US, if said in an affectionate way, but might be over the line somewhere else.
Solution 3:
Years ago, when the ladies wished to comment on a gauche woman's inappropriate attempt to wear every piece of jewelry she owned, the phrase, "Oh, look, it's The Queen of Sheba," would often be heard. Apparently "The Urban Dictionary" has usurped the usage of this phrase (as I was familiar with it in my childhood) to something more akin to "uppity".
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Queen%20of%20Sheba
In keeping with the recognized authority of TUD, the correct term is: bling ho.