Ruby vs Garnet
Ruby and garnet are the two most popular red gemstones, and they are frequently confused by shoppers. While both display beautiful red hues, they differ significantly in mineral composition, hardness, rarity, and price. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right red gemstone for your jewelry.
| Factor | Ruby | Garnet |
|---|
| Mineral | Corundum | Garnet group (multiple species) |
| Mohs Hardness | 9 | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Color Range | Pinkish-red to deep crimson | Every color; red varieties include pyrope, almandine, rhodolite |
| Rarity | Very rare in fine quality | Abundant (common varieties); rare varieties exist |
| Price Range | $500 – $50,000+ per carat | $20 – $500 per carat (common); tsavorite/demantoid much higher |
| Treatments | Heat treatment (standard) | Rarely treated |
| Birthstone | July | January |
| Refractive Index | 1.762 – 1.770 | 1.714 – 1.888 (varies) |
Color Differences
The most prized ruby color is pigeon blood red—a vivid, medium-dark red with a slight bluish undertone that seems to glow from within. Rubies get their red from chromium. Red garnets, by contrast, tend toward a darker, more brownish or orangish red. Pyrope garnet is the closest in color to ruby but typically lacks the vivid fluorescence that gives fine rubies their inner fire. Rhodolite garnet leans more raspberry-pink to purplish-red.
Durability
This is where ruby has a major advantage. At 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby is the second hardest natural gemstone after diamond, making it virtually scratchproof for everyday wear. Garnet ranges from 6.5 to 7.5, which is adequate for most jewelry but will scratch more easily over time, especially in rings worn daily.
Value & Investment
Fine natural rubies are among the most expensive gemstones in the world. A top-quality Burmese ruby can exceed the price of an equivalent-weight diamond. Red garnet is one of the most affordable colored gemstones, offering excellent beauty for the price. However, rare garnet varieties like tsavorite (green) and demantoid (green with exceptional fire) can be quite expensive.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose ruby if: You want the hardest and most prestigious red gemstone, plan to wear it daily in a ring, or want a gemstone that holds its value as an investment. Ruby is the better choice for engagement rings due to its superior durability.
Choose garnet if: You want an affordable red gemstone with natural, untreated color. Garnet is excellent for earrings, pendants, and fashion jewelry. It also comes in far more color varieties than ruby, giving you more options to express your personal style.
Browse our ruby jewelry collection or explore gemstone jewelry featuring garnets and other colored stones.