I need a human thesaurus.

[Oryan77]

This is going to be an odd request, but I need help with a naming convention.

I am working on a random generator that will display things like gems, metals, pearls, ivory, shells, & stones within the same category.

I would like to give this category a single name to identify it, but I cannot determine what a group of items like this could be referred to. I don't want to call it "Gems" since a "shell" is not a gem. My best ideas are either "minerals" (which isn't the best identifier) or "baubles" (which usually just refers to cheap trinkets).

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm even open to slang terms if it fits. I'm at a loss.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Precious materials?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I might even broaden that to "precious/semi-precious materials".

 

[Dioltach]

Shinies? Sparklies?

I don't want to call it "Gems" since a "shell" is not a gem.

Actually, I believe that shells do in fact qualify as gems. At least, I seem to covering them in my gemmology studies with GIA.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Some shell (or related materials) does get that classification, but not all shells used for semiprecious decorations do.

 

[Sunseeker]

Valuables?

 

[Morrus]

Precious Stones

Or, honestly, just Gems will do. If somebody's going to get all pedantic about it, leave them free to suffer in grammatical existential angst. Doesn't affect you any.

 

[GMMichael]

Treasure.

Result.

Reward.

Maybe you can answer that yourself by telling us why those item types are listed together?

 

[der_kluge]

objets d'art

 

[Mercule]

Casually? Loot.

More formally, I'm going to go with: Liquid commodities (or liquid treasure).

(Definitions from dictionary.com)
Liquid (adj): in cash or readily convertible into cash without significant loss of principal.

Commodity : an article of trade or commerce, especially a product as distinguished from a service; any unprocessed or partially processed good, as grain, fruits, and vegetables, or precious metals.

All of what you're describing should be, at best, partially finished (fully finished would be jewelry). They're directly usable in trade. And, they can be converted to cash with minimal loss of value.