semipreciosa

Semipreciosa is a term used in the jewelry trade to describe gemstones that are not classified as the traditional four “precious” stones: diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. The adjective semipreciosa, meaning semi-precious, groups together a wide range of minerals and organic gems that are considered attractive but not part of the historically top-tier category. Common examples include amethyst, citrine, aquamarine, topaz, garnet, peridot, tourmaline, opal, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and jade, among others. There is no single scientific criterion that defines semipreciosa beyond not belonging to the four precious stones; quality and value are determined by factors such as color, clarity, cut, carat, origin, and market demand.

The use of semipreciosa has been criticized for implying a hierarchy of value and rarity that can be misleading. Many gemological institutes and modern catalogs prefer precise identifications by species and variety and detailed descriptions of cut and color, rather than a broad semi-precious label. The term is more common in some Spanish-speaking markets and in older or more general retail materials.

Despite its vagueness, the label persists as a convenient shorthand in consumer education and merchandising, signaling that a stone is a gemstone used in jewelry but not among the most valuable or rare. It does not convey any information about durability or suitability for wear, which depends on the specific stone’s hardness and physical properties.