Crossword Genius

Gemstone ring is with friend (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opal

'gemstone' is the definition.
(opal is a kind of gemstone)

'ring is with friend' is the wordplay.
'ring' becomes 'o'.
'is with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal is a kind of friend).
'o'+'pal'='OPAL'

(Other definitions for opal that I've seen before include "Jewellery item" , "Milky white gemstone" , "item in Hatton Garden?" , "Birthstone for October" , "Form of hydrated silica, often used as a gemstone" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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