Crossword Genius

It’s a gun, kid! Put back those gems! (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

garnets

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'gems' is the definition.
(garnet is a kind of gem)

'it's a gun kid put back' is the wordplay.
'it's a gun' becomes 'sten' (British sub-machine gun).
'kid' becomes 'rag' (I've seen this in other clues).
'put back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'sten'+'rag'='stenrag'
'stenrag' in reverse letter order is 'GARNETS'.

'those' is the link.
This may not be correct. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for garnets that I've seen before include "Strange turn of the gemstones" , "Stones" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app