precious metal

precious metal (countable and uncountable, plural precious metals)

1. A rare metallic chemical element of high economic value, such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.
   • 2021 February 9, Hiroko Tabuchi, “Thieves Nationwide Are Slithering Under Cars, Swiping Catalytic Converters”, in The New York Times‎, →ISSN:

     The reason for the ruckus: A thief in the night had made off with the car’s catalytic converter, a critical emissions-control device that contains precious metals more valuable than gold.

• noble metal