In our latest session a question came up. The initial statement [PHB pg 256] says to;
"Describe an object that is familiar to you."
The spell description goes on to state that known to you (not familiar to you) is defined as seen within 30 feet.
The discrepancy comes up in the phrase;
"Alternatively, the spell can locate the nearest object of a particular kind, such as a certain kind of apparel, jewelry, furniture, tool, or weapon."
We are trying to decide if an item that we have never seen, but is described to us (it is a gem that does X and has been in X location for a couple of hundred years) is enough to qualify as a "particular kind" of if that is too vague?