Certainly there are more precious materials than gold, although I doubt many would agree that crystal fits this criterion. Regardless, how difficult is it for one entrusted to follow the Church’s regulations to do so regarding something so basic? If this happens due to lack of knowledge on the part of the priest, I pray that he learns of his error and makes the correction. If he violates the rules with full knowledge and intent, then there is a problem.
The problem with your argument about orthodoxy is that you assume that it is unopen to change. That argument would be applicable to some of the traditionalist movements but that is not what we are discussing. On the contrary, orthodoxy in this debate is about obedience to the Magisterium. As petty as these details may seem to you, modifying them to suit one’s interest is a serious matter.