Crossword Genius

Male succeeded when cutting to obtain a certain diamond? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gemstone

'diamond?' is the definition.
(diamond is a kind of gemstone)

'male succeeded when cutting to obtain a certain' is the wordplay.
'male' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'succeeded' becomes 's' (genealogical abbreviation).
'when cutting' indicates putting letters inside (some letters cut their way into a word).
'to obtain' becomes 'get' ('get' can be a synonym of 'obtain').
'a certain' becomes 'one' (ie one particular example of something).
'm'+'s'='ms'
'ms' put into 'get' is 'gemst'.
'gemst'+'one'='GEMSTONE'

(Other definitions for gemstone that I've seen before include "Sparkler" , "Emerald or ruby" , "Physical power" , "[RUBY] , for example" , "Eg, diamond or ruby" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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