Geochemistry Question:
Tell me what is the difference between a semi-precious and a precious stone?
Answer:
The difference between precious and semi-precious comes down purely to human definitions that have been imposed.
There is nothing in and of itself about the nature of a stone, which makes it precious or semi-precious.
Rather it is down to human desirability of an element or mineral or form or a stone that decides.
Generally, the rarer and more sought after a mineral is, the more likely it is to be defined as precious.
Desired, but more common and less valuable items may be, in contrast, semi-precious.
There is nothing in and of itself about the nature of a stone, which makes it precious or semi-precious.
Rather it is down to human desirability of an element or mineral or form or a stone that decides.
Generally, the rarer and more sought after a mineral is, the more likely it is to be defined as precious.
Desired, but more common and less valuable items may be, in contrast, semi-precious.
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