The color red has always been a symbol of love and passion. Perhaps that's why, when it comes to expressing their feelings to someone special, people often prefer red jewelry. Gemstone jewelry is becoming increasingly popular these days, but the biggest confusion arises when choosing between garnet and ruby.
At first glance, both stones appear similar, making it difficult for a new buyer to differentiate between them. But do you know that despite their similar appearance, ruby and garnet are completely different? There are significant differences in their rarity, luster, texture, and price. If you’re also confused about which stone is best for you and how to differentiate ruby vs garnet, then let’s understand the real differences between the two in simple terms in this blog.
Garnet vs Ruby: The Key Differentiating Factors
Let's look at the factors that differentiate Garnet from Ruby and Ruby from Garnet.
1. Origin and Formation
Red Garnet: Nature’s beauty inside a stone
Garnet is part of a family of silicate minerals that form deep inside the Earth under intense pressure. These gemstones can be found across the globe, from Africa to India, and from the United States to Brazil.
This gemstone exists in numerous varieties, including almandine, pyrope, spessartine, and grossular, each offering its own unique color, ranging from deep red tones to green, orange, and purplish.
And because it is widely accessible, this makes it different, more accessible, and more affordable than ruby gemstones. But this does not mean that garnet is less beautiful.
Ruby: The King of Gemstone
Ruby, on the other hand, is one of the top 4 precious gemstones along with sapphire, emerald, and diamond in the list of precious natural gems. Ruby is a stone of the corundum family and is actually made of the mineral aluminum oxide. Its red color is due to the presence of chromium in it.
Unlike garnet, ruby is not found throughout the world but is mined out in only a few specific areas. Mostly ruby is found in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, which increases its value. Of these, Burmese rubies are highly valuable. Famous for their "pigeon blood" red color—a pure, vivid red with hints of blue—giving them command of one of the highest prices in the world.
2. Ruby vs Garnet: Color differentiation
The first and most noticeable difference between ruby and garnet is their color. Though both look red, their tone, saturation, and color brilliance are quite different.
Distinguishing between Ruby and Garnet based on color is fairly easy if you pay attention to these two points:
Undertone: Ruby often has a pinkish or bluish sheen (berry-red), while garnet has a slightly brownish or earthy red (brick red).
Light Reflection: When you hold the stone up to the light, Ruby appears to reflect two distinct shades (red and slightly pinkish), while Garnet has a uniform and deep (dark) color throughout.
The simple thing is that Ruby is a little "bright and vibrant," and Garnet is a little "dark and warm."
3. Hardness and Durability: Garnet vs Ruby
The next point that distinguishes rubies from red garnets is their hardness and durability. Gemstones' durability is measured on the Mohs scale.
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Garnet Mohs Scale Rating: 6.5 to 7.5
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Ruby Mohs Scale Rating: 9
The Mohs scale rating tells you how fragile your product is; for example, ruby is much harder and more durable than garnet, meaning that it can be worn for everyday use as well as special conditions and is not at risk of scratches or cracks.
And that’s the reason why most people opt for rubies over red garnet for engagement rings and special occasions.
4. Rarity and Value
You all understand that there's a direct relationship between rarity and value. For example, the rarer an item is, the more valuable it is, and the less rare an item is, the less valuable it is.
We've already seen that rubies are found in only a few locations, making them rare and considered among the world's most valuable gemstones. Some high-quality Burmese rubies range from $5,000 to $1,000,000 per carat, while even the highest-quality red garnets can cost anywhere from $30 to $200 per carat.
5. Symbolism and Meaning
Nowadays, people prefer to know the symbolism and meaning behind anything before buying it, especially when it comes to gemstones. jewelry. And when it comes to Garnet and Ruby, there is a big difference between them based on their meaning and symbolism.
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Ruby (The King of Gems): It symbolizes power, royalty, and the sun. It signifies self-confidence and leadership. Wearing it signifies the "passion to live.”
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Garnet (The Stone of Commitment): It symbolizes protection, loyalty, and deep relationships. It means dedication to someone and protection from negativity.
Which Should You Choose: Red Garnet or Ruby?
Even after knowing all the differences, it is difficult to decide which is best, Garnet or Ruby. So let me clarify one thing: it becomes easy when you know certain things before buying, such as your style, defined budget, purpose of buying, and emotional connection.
→ Choose Garnet:
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If you're into gemstones with deep earth tones or you're a fan of vintage charm,
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If you’re looking for slightly affordable, easily accessible gemstone jewelry
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A perfect everyday gift and a thoughtful gift for the January-born
→ Choose Ruby:
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If you need luxury gemstones or brilliance
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A gemstone with deep meaning and timeless symbolism
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If you’re looking for highly durable gemstone jewelry for special occasions such as engagement rings and anniversaries
Care tips for both gemstones: Ruby and Garnet
Be it normal products or precious gemstones, every cheek needs proper care to retain its beauty and timeless years. Similarly, you will have to follow care tips for Garnet and Ruby as well, so enjoy its natural excellence for years.
→ For Garnet:
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Protect gemstone from strong impact and in contact to rough surfaces
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Gentle cleaning of stone with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth
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Store the stone in separate boxes to avoid scratches
→ For Ruby:
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Although ruby's hardness level and durability are extreme, it should still be protected from hard knocks.
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Clean with lukewarm and soapy water or use ultrasonic cleaners safely
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Avoid prolonged and sudden exposure to heat and strong chemicals
Always keep in mind that whether it is ruby or garnet, with good care they will maintain their brilliance for generations.
Conclusion
Ultimately, both Ruby and Garnet are exceptional in their own right. If you're on a budget and want something that will last for generations and remain an investment, there's nothing better than Ruby. However, if you're looking for an affordable, beautiful, and everyday wearable stone, Garnet is a smart choice. The decision is based on your pocket and your preference!
So, I hope your confusion about Ruby vs Garnet—which one to choose—has been sorted after this short content. If you want to know anything else, please feel free to ask.
