Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Used of gemstones having less commercial value than precious stones: Describes minerals or stones that are valued for their beauty and used in jewelry but are generally more abundant and less costly than those classified as precious (like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires).

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The artisan crafted a beautiful necklace from various semiprecious stones.
  • Amethyst and turquoise are popular examples of semiprecious gems.
  • The collection features both precious and semiprecious minerals.

Advanced Usage

• In a geological or commercial context: The term is often used to categorize gem materials for trade, appraisal, or descriptive purposes, indicating a tier below the traditional "precious" category.
  • The report distinguished between precious metals and semiprecious gem deposits in the region.

Variants and Related Words

• Semiprecious stone (noun phrase): The actual gemstone material described by the adjective.
  • She specializes in cutting semiprecious stones like garnet and moonstone.

Synonyms

• Ornamental (when referring to stones used for decoration but not of the highest gem value).
• Non-precious gem (a more direct, though less common, descriptive term).

Antonyms

• Precious (as in or ).

Notes on Meaning

• The classification "semiprecious" is somewhat informal and commercial. In modern gemology, many stones traditionally called semiprecious (e.g., tanzanite, high-quality jade) can be very valuable, blurring the strict line between "precious" and "semiprecious." The term primarily indicates a historical and commercial distinction rather than a strict scientific one.

Adjective

1. used of gemstones having less commercial value than precious stones
   • such semiprecious stones as amethyst, garnet, jade, and tourmaline