Since ancient times, gemstones have captivated people with their exquisite beauty and rarity. Among group gems, ruby, and garnet have consistently stood out as two prominent stars. So, what’s the difference between two Gemstones? This article seeks to clarify the distinctions between garnet and ruby, ensuring not confuse the two.
1. Chemical Formation
Garnet encompasses a diverse family of silicate minerals that share similar crystal structures and physical properties but vary in chemical composition. Garnets can form through various processes, primarily within sedimentary rocks subjected to substantial pressure and temperature. In such conditions, these rocks melt, and upon cooling, crystallize within the fissures and crevices of surrounding metamorphic rocks. The diverse colors of garnets result from different chemical impurities.
In contrast, rubies are forged under intense pressure and high temperatures. They consist of corundum, composed of aluminum and oxygen atoms. Corundum turns into a liquid state under high temperature and pressure, infiltrating the cracks of volcanic or metamorphic rocks. Upon cooling, it typically crystallizes as colorless. However, when tracing amounts of chromium mixed with corundum, it turns red, giving rise to rubies.
2.Color
Both rubies and garnets exhibit deep red hues, but they are different in terms of color, tone, and intensity.
Ruby's red color emanates from trace elements of chromium, resulting in a more vivid, intense red. In contrast, garnets acquire their red hue due to iron during their formation, yielding a lighter and paler red. Additionally, rubies have a cooler red undertone, sometimes displaying subtle purplish or bluish tints, while garnets tend to have a warmer, orangish hue.
Garnets come in a broader spectrum of colors besides red, including pink, purple, brown, yellow, orange, green, black, and color-changing varieties that appear blue in natural light and red or purple in artificial lighting.
One effective method to distinguish between garnet and ruby is by observing how the gemstone reflects light. If the gemstone reflects a spectrum of colors, including green and yellow, you are likely examining a garnet.
3.Transparency and Durability
Rubies typically exhibit inclusions, which are not considered detrimental and are regarded as part of the ruby's character. In contrast, high-quality garnets are usually transparent and devoid of significant inclusions.
Regarding durability, rubies are exceptionally robust, boasting a hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, which spans from 1 to 10. Garnets, however, are relatively less durable, with a hardness rating ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. This means that garnets are relatively softer gemstones, and the distinction in durability is a crucial factor when discerning between the two.
4.Price
In general, rubies tend to command higher prices than garnets due to their rarity and robust market demand. Garnets, by contrast, are more accessible, making them an economical choice for those seeking exquisite gemstones without an exorbitant budget.
Finally, advancements in technology have made it possible to produce lab-grown rubies with precisely the same chemical compositions as their natural counterparts. ROISGEMS lab-grown rubies are at a more budget-friendly price point, providing an economically advantageous and environmentally conscious alternative for jewelry.
