Crossword Genius

Old friend is a gem (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opal

'gem' is the definition.
(I know that opal is a type of opaque gem)

'old friend' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal can mean a friend).
'o'+'pal'='OPAL'

'is a' is the link.

(Other definitions for opal that I've seen before include "what may be set in 29 [DIAL]" , "One's stony" , "Shimmering stone" , "Semi-precious stone of milky or bluish colour" , "Milky stuff that's hard" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express, The Guardian and The Times.
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