Ruby vs Garnet: A Guide to Their Differences
Ruby and Garnet: A Comprehensive Comparison Guide -
You must've heard people saying, "All that glitters is not gold," which means not everything that looks good or shining from the outside turns out to be so. The same saying comes to mind whenever we see gemstones like Ruby and Garnet: "All that shines red isn't necessary to be a ruby." Yes, In the enormous, mysterious, yet magnificent world of gemstones, Ruby and Garnets stand as the two most sought-after and admirable crystals for their one-of-a-kind, next-level peak of beauty. Both are glittering gemstones with valued astrological and historical symbolism in the gemstone Jewelry segment.
Though they both visually look similar at first glance, many people sometimes mistakenly take garnets as Rubies for obvious reasons, of course, i.e., the exquisite red color. However, they differ in terms of color variants, physical properties, durability, value, and many more aspects. Let's take a closer look at their briefly explained differences with us here:
Understanding the Key Differences Between Ruby and Garnet -
Both the royal Ruby and captivating garnet dominate in the frontline of all the red-hued gemstones and have been enchanting Jewelry and gem admirers for centuries. Being the red color, they are associated with the concepts of vitality, energy and love. To end your dilemma, here we're going to discuss the main differences between Garnet and Ruby so that you can find an ideal pick. Let's start the journey:
Ruby Vs Garnet – Color
Known as "Ratanraj" in Sanskrit, which means "the king of precious stones," Ruby is a breathtaking red gemstone ranging from pale to dark red with slight orange or purple tints. No wonder, they are extremely loved in making sterling silver Jewelry that brings a regal, luxurious, and rich look to an outfit. Pairing it with red lipstick can really amp up your fashion game.
On the other hand, Garnet, also known as "Raktamani," a Hindi and Sanskrit name for this gem which means "blood red precious jewel," is the most cherished variety that attracts us with its purplish-red to dark, blood-red tones with a hint of brown. Adorning a single piece of garnet Jewelry can make your outfit pop and make the world a piece of cake for you. Imagine you're wearing a red Saree or a shimmering bodycon dress with a garnet piece and getting all the heads. However, garnets can also appear in pink, purple, blue, and black, but nothing can beat the charm of a blood-red garnet in your closet!
Ruby Vs Garnet – Chemical And Mineral Game
The astonishing Ruby is a red variety of the mineral corundum, i.e., aluminum oxide, and it gets its distinctive rich, vivid red color due to the presence of chromium in its structure. Known as "Manik" in Hindi, the intensity and uniformity of its red color determines its value, with a deep red one being the most valuable. Its opaque to almost transparent appearance is loved in wedding rings, Ruby pendants, and many more.
On the other hand, Garnet can be transparent to semi-opaque, whereas its chemical game includes a group of silicates and minerals comprising silicon and oxygen. The chemical formula is X3Y2(SiO4)3, and there can be almandine, andradite, grossular, pyrope, spessartine, and uvarovite also.
Ruby Vs. Garnet – Geological Formation
When it comes to Rubies, they're formed when corundum, a colorless mineral that comprises aluminum and oxygen is compressed under extreme heat and pressure deep within the earth. The traces of chromium are responsible for Ruby's red hue and if ferric iron is also present, there can be pink or orange hues. They can be found worldwide, such as in Sri Lanka, Greenland, Burma, Madagascar, Thailand, etc.
On the flip side, Garnets typically form in metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks subject to high heat and intense pressure. The presence of several minerals and impurities during the formation brings garnets their exquisite red shade. Today, their vast deposits worldwide include Nigeria, Russia, Finland, Sri Lanka, Canada, Tanzania, Madagascar, etc.
Ruby Vs. Garnet – Durability And Hardness
Made from corundum, Rubies are typically solid with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, creating scratch-resistant and durable Ruby Jewelry for you to flaunt every day
On the other side, garnets score between 6.5 and 7.5 on the mineral hardness scale, making Garnet rings an ideal choice for special occasions due to their delicate and comparatively soft structure.
Ruby Vs Garnet – History And Symbolism
When it comes to Ruby, the name is taken from the Latin word "Rubeus," which means "red," owing to the rich red color of the gemstone. It has been one of the most famous and revered gems for umpteen years, holding a significant place among various cultures. Its deep red color is associated with royalty, wealth, and passion, admired by royalty and displayed in crown jewels. In ancient Hinduism, people used to offer them to the God Krishna in the belief of gaining rebirth as an emperor, whereas ancient Chinese and Burmese used to wear Ruby bracelets as amulets to avoid injuries and win battles. In fact, in early times, Rubies were often buried underground while constructing buildings as a good luck charm.
Garnet's origin takes us back to the Medieval Latin era, where it got its identity from the Latin word "granatus," which means "having many seeds or grains" due to its resemblance to the seeds of a pomegranate. With their eye-captive appearance, garnets have been celebrated in many cultures throughout history. For example, ancient Egyptians often used garnets in regal Jewelry and even buried pharaohs with them to skip negativity and evil eyes afterlife as they believed them as a symbol of life. Not only this, garnet rings were used to stamp important documents in early Rome, whereas ancient Greeks associated them with the goddess of love, Aphrodite, and used Garnet pendants as amulets to bring passion and courage. Even Chinese cherished garnets as a tiger's soul transformed into a red-hued gem after an animal's death.
Ruby Vs. Garnet – Birthstone And Zodiac Sign
If you are a July-born person or fall under the Cancer zodiac sign, then you'll be glad to know that Ruby is your official birthstone. And wearing as your zodiac sign Jewelry will allow you to align your Heart, Root, and solar plexus chakras, instilling grounding and stability and feelings of love, empathy, and kindness, unlocking spiritual gateways. Besides this, Ruby makes a great present for celebrating the 40th anniversary.
On the flip side, Garnet is an official January birthstone for those born under the Capricorn zodiac sign. Adorning Garnet as your birthstone Jewelry can help heal and activate your root and sacral chakras, developing inner peace and mental clarity. You can give garnet as a present to your loved ones celebrating their 2nd anniversary.
Ruby Vs Garnet – Healing Benefits
Both Ruby and Garnets have enormous healing benefits believed to influence all three aspects of our lives – mind, body and soul. Take a Ruby, for example, associated with the planet Sun; keeping a Ruby nearby is believed to bring its owner courage, passion, and vitality. Wearing a Ruby necklace while meditating can boost energy levels, motivation, and emotional resilience. They are believed to alleviate negative thoughts and promote a positive outlook on life. Their crimson red hues improve blood circulation and are a natural detoxifier to eliminate toxins and impurities. They are considered a protective stone that shields us against psychic attacks and boosts self-confidence.
On the flip side, Garnets symbolize love, passion, strength, and transformation, making them a great stone for deep spiritual energies. Accessories such as garnet necklaces are often used in meditation and grounding practices to connect individuals to their spiritual path and higher self. In addition to this, it is believed to support our circulatory system by bolstering healthy blood flow. Also, it strengthens our immunity, helping the body fight against infections and diseases. Not only this, but it helps us overcome past traumas, reducing anxiety, stress, and depression.
Ruby Vs Garnet Which Is Better? – It's Time for a Showdown!
Huh! This is where our comprehensive guide on Ruby Vs Garnet ends. Now, which one to choose is entirely your choice, taste, zodiac sign, and budget requirements. If you wish to go for an intense red beauty but with a lighter weight in your pocket, then a Garnet is the right choice for you. On the other hand, Ruby's exceptional hardness and royal beauty make it an ideal choice for tempting gemstone Jewelry.
Irrespective of what gemstone you prefer, always remember to pick a reputed and trusted brand like Sagacia Jewelry, where you can find a vast and exquisite range of sterling silver Jewelry made from precious rubies, garnets, and many other gemstones. We are a US-based online platform for top-quality and authentic gemstone Jewelry strive to transform your traditional Jewelry choices with our trendy designs and styles. Visit us now!
