Ruby vs Garnet: What’s the Difference?

All that shines bright and red is a ruby? Not always. Sometimes, it can be another gorgeous beauty that goes by the name garnet. If you aren’t familiar with one or either of these gems, or if you’re simply confused about which one to pick then you’ve come to the right place.

While garnet and ruby may appear similar, there’s a great deal of difference between them. So, how to tell the difference? Let’s start with some quick facts…

Ruby vs Garnet: Key Differences

What Are the Main Differences between Garnet and Ruby?

Here’s a quick comparative analysis to understand the good and the bad of both these gems.

1. Rarity

Fine quality rubies weighing more than one carat are extremely rare, whereas red garnets are found abundantly.

2. Composition

Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum (or aluminium oxide). Chromium is responsible for giving the ruby its highly prized red colour. Unlike rubies and other gemstones, garnets come in a variety of species and blends. While the crystal structure is a common factor among all varieties of garnets, their chemical composition varies.

3. Colour

Rubies have a rich, vibrant shade of red with a hint of blue or purple. Red garnets display a deeper, more intense shade of red with yellow or orange undertones.

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4. Origin & History

As per records, rubies were traded along China’s North Silk Road as early as 200 BC. Ancient Hindus bestowed the title of ‘Ratnaraj’ which translates to ‘King of Gems’. In the Middle Ages, European aristocrats coveted rubies more than any other gemstone. Embodying ethereal beauty, rubies have been associated with love, courage, passion and mystical powers.

The origin of garnets can be traced back to Ancient Egypt and Rome. The Egyptians regarded garnets as the symbol of life. They were often buried with the mummies to help the dead pass peacefully into the afterlife. And did you know that the Romans used signet rings with carved garnets to seal important documents? Later during the Middle Ages, the garnet was a gem favored by clergymen and nobles.

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Did your marriage just turn two? Gift bae a garnet; it’s the traditional second-anniversary gemstone, said to inspire love and loyalty.

5. Size

While commercial-quality rubies are available in a wide range of sizes, fine-quality rubies larger than one carat are incredibly rare and hence can be expensive. Red garnets, on the other hand, are commonly available in larger sizes. Therefore, if you desire jewellery embellished with a bigger stone, a red garnet would be apt for you.

6. Birthstone & Zodiac sign

Ruby is the official birthstone for July and the gemstone for the Cancer zodiac sign. Whereas, garnet is regarded as the official birthstone for January and is the zodiac stone for the Capricorn star sign.

7. Brilliance & Fire

Another way to tell garnet from a ruby? Lift the stone and hold it to the light. This will show you how the light passes through the stone, aka brilliance. So, when you hold a garnet against a bright source of light, the light will reflect a rainbow of colours including bands of yellow and green. A ruby however will absorb the yellow and green hues and will not reflect a full spectrum rainbow.

8. Clarity

It’s common to find flaws and thin mineral rutile inclusions (needles) in rubies. The presence of rutile silk causes the light to diffuse to otherwise dark surfaces. While red garnets are typically eye-clean, demantoid garnets (a sparkling green garnet) have eye-visible inclusions called horsetails that can raise their value.

9. Gemological Phenomenon / Effect

Rubies are pleochroic, which means they can display different colours (like purple-red) when viewed from different angles. They also exhibit asterism, a phenomenon where the rutile inclusions of a gem interact with light and create a ‘star’ on the gem’s surface.

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Some garnets can exhibit the colour-change phenomenon similar to alexandrite which is another rare gemstone.

10. Pricing

The price of a very good quality ruby can range from $1,000 to $20,000 per carat owing to its rarity. The more saturated the shade of red, the pricier it becomes. When it comes to a good quality red garnet, you can expect to pay anything between $500 to $7,000.

11. Cut

Both rubies and garnets are available in a range of shapes like round, cushion, oval, emerald-cut, pear, etc.

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12. Hardness

Rubies score a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale. However, garnets have a rating that falls between 6.5 to 7.5. And while you can flaunt a garnet every day, they are still not as tough as rubies in comparison.

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Other Notable Differences That Set Garnet Apart from Ruby

Symbolism

The royal rubies are believed to symbolize love, wisdom, power, and passion. It was commonly referred to as the ‘King of Gems’ in ancient Sanskrit texts, which was indicative of its desirability and popularity. And so, ruby engagement rings and wedding bands are top choices for couples today. Also, it was commonly referred to as the ‘King of Gems’ in ancient Sanskrit texts, which was indicative of its desirability and popularity.

Treatment

Majority of rubies available in the market today undergo heat treatment to intensify their colour and improve their clarity. Whereas most of the garnets are likely to be 100% natural. In general, garnets are rarely treated to improve their colour or appearance in any manner. Good-quality garnets are also easily accessible, which further reduces the need to create artificial or imitation stones.

Popularity

Ruby is a precious gem that’s blessed with a sensational hue and excellent strength. These factors, along with it being the official birthstone of July, have made it one of the most coveted jewels available today. Garnets do have a long list of admirers, but it can’t beat ruby in terms of demand and popularity.

Good To Know

There are more than 20 types of garnets available in nature. While pyrope and almandine are the most frequently used (and easily accessible) red garnets in jewellery-making, demantoid is rare and the most valuable green-hued variety of this gem.

If you love or prefer a garnet, you’d be happy to know that, unlike several other gems, this one doesn’t need to be subjected to colour and clarity enhancement procedures. Therefore, a majority of garnets found today are most likely 100% natural. In addition to its beautiful colour, this is another USP that has helped garnet become a customer favourite. 

Ruby vs Garnet : Our Verdict

If you wish to go for an intense red gem that is also a bit lighter on the pocket, then a garnet may just be the perfect choice for you. Whereas, the exceptional hardness of the ruby makes it a great choice for special jewellery, such as an engagement ring or a wedding band.

Irrespective of which gemstone jewellery you opt for, remember to always consider picking a top-quality stone, even if the carat size is small. Also, look out for the certificate of authenticity which is supposed to provide accurate details about the gemstone. This includes the quality grade, number of gems used and enhancements done (if any).

At Angara, you will find several jewellery options embellished with ravishing rubies and gorgeous garnets. So, you can take your pick from chic rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets in eye-catching styles and designs. What’s more, you can even customise your piece by selecting the gemstone quality grade, metal and carat weight of your choice.