Crossword Genius

A line about a paragon (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pearl

'paragon' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a line about a' is the wordplay.
'a' becomes 'per'.
'line' becomes 'l'.
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'per'+'l'='perl'
'perl' going around 'a' is 'PEARL'.

(Other definitions for pearl that I've seen before include "Drop" , "Lustrous structure in a mollusc shell" , "Gem; an attacked Harbor" , "Precious gem" , "White - jewel" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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