semiprecious

semi·pre·cious | \ ˌse-mē-ˈpre-shəs

How to pronounce semiprecious (audio)

, ˌse-ˌmī-, -mi- \

Definition of semiprecious

of a gemstone

: of less commercial value than a precious stone

Examples of semiprecious in a Sentence

semiprecious stones such as aquamarines and garnets

Recent Examples on the Web Egyptian blue got its start as an artificial replacement for dye made of lapis lazuli, a semiprecious stone mined in a region that is now Afghanistan. — Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "New Tool for Biomedical Research Was Invented in Ancient Egypt," 1 Apr. 2020 Its 9,500 square feet of marble and semiprecious stone surfaces, including amethyst on the walls and Siena yellow marble around the indoor pool, hold antique columns and statues and an art collection that includes a Klimt. — Wendy Perrin, Town & Country, "18 Jaw-Dropping Private Villas You Can Rent Around the World," 17 Oct. 2019 Lapidary is cutting and shaping semiprecious stones like agate, jasper, opal or turquoise for rings and settings, John Oechsler said. — Lyndi Mcnulty, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "An Eye for Art: Finksburg artist runs gamut from designing clothes and jewelry to painting murals and watercolors," 6 Nov. 2019 For more surface space, set a cold beer or glass of wine on the Onyx Side Table; as the name suggests, it's made of the semiprecious stone, so each one is unique—just like your music taste. — Alexa Tucker, House Beautiful, "This Music Room Will Inspire You to Create Your Own," 21 Oct. 2019 Known for its semiprecious and precious jewelry, the marketplace has trinkets of every color and price. — Sarvesh Talreja, National Geographic, "Cairo beyond the pyramids: The ultimate itinerary," 30 July 2019 Ganesh comes in nearly every size (pinkie size to head high) and type of material, including brass, terra-cotta, ceramic, sandalwood and semiprecious stone. — Elizabeth Chang, Washington Post, "The best souvenirs to bring home from 10 countries," 2 July 2019 No lotion or potion or semiprecious stone tool will erase veins or alter the structure of your face. — Alice Gregory, Allure, "I Got Fillers for My Chronic Undereye Circles, and the Results Were Impressive," 28 Apr. 2019 Some countertops have become not only the focal point of a room but a piece of art for the home, such as a glass top that has an artist’s work embedded in it, or an agate piece backlit with semiprecious stones. — Robyn A. Friedman, WSJ, "Countertops Limited Only by Your Budget and Imagination," 26 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'semiprecious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Semiprecious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiprecious. Accessed 2 Jul. 2020.

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