semi-precious

See also: semiprecious

English

From semi- +‎ precious.

semi-precious (not comparable)

Sort of or somewhat precious or valuable. Usually used as part of the phrase semi-precious stones or semi-precious gems.
- 2009, Simon Cox, Decoding The Lost Symbol, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 156:
  This semiprecious stone, which resembles green glass, has gemlike qualities and is often used in jewelry.

In modern English, the semi-precious stones are those other than diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald.

sort of or somewhat precious or valuable