a diamond of the first water
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A specially fine diamond, one of the greatest value for its size. The colour or lustre of a diamond is called its "water.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “a diamond of the first water” mean?
A specially fine diamond, one of the greatest value for its size. The colour or lustre of a diamond is called its "water.
Is “a diamond of the first water” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.