A somewhat formal or technical term for gemstones, often used in contexts like jewelry, mineralogy, or appraisal.
This ring uses an expensive precious stone.
Appraising precious stones requires specialized knowledge.
semiprecious stone
Compound of 貴 (ki, 'precious') and 石 (seki, 'stone'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning.