semiprecious

[ sem-ee-presh-uh s, sem-ahy- ]

/ ˌsɛm iˈprɛʃ əs, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

(of a stone) having commercial value as a gem but not classified as precious, as the amethyst or garnet.

Origin of semiprecious

First recorded in 1885–90; semi- + precious

Some special varieties of feldspar are cut or polished for semiprecious stones or decorative purposes.

Geology |William J. Miller
The bulk of this semiprecious metal goes to Navarro & Platt.

The Trimmed Lamp |O. Henry
A precious gemstone has beauty, durability, and rarity, whereas a semiprecious gemstone has only one or two of these qualities.

Natural Gemstones |Various
The interior is exquisite with lacelike carvings inlaid with semiprecious stones.

Autobiography of a YOGI |Paramhansa Yogananda

Upon this last they set the equally brilliant helmet, adorned with semiprecious stones.

Life on a Mediaeval Barony |William Stearns Davis

semiprecious

/ (ˌsɛmɪˈprɛʃəs) /

(of certain stones) having commercial value, but less than a precious stone