Garnet vs. Ruby: Red and What?

Both garnets and rubies are beautiful and precious red stones. Of the two, rubies are more valuable, harder and feature much more brilliant red.

The main reason for comparing these two stones arises from the fact that they appear the same to many. However, their characteristics are considerably different. For example, ruby is popular for its reputation of being the ‘king of gemstones’ through its exceptional hardness.

Its hard nature makes ruby an excellent choice for special jewelry such as a wedding band or engagement ring. On the other hand, a garnet isn’t as tough as ruby. Although you can wear it frequently, taking great care of it is necessary.

For the lovers of garnet, you would be happy to learn that unlike other gems, it does not need to be subjected to clarity and color enhancement procedures. The majority of today’s garnets are 100% natural.

Ruby

The word ruby emanates from ruber which is a Latin word to mean red. Its fiery red hue is its most notable attribute. The abundance of chromium elements in the stone is responsible for the red hue. Along with Sapphire, Emerald, and Diamond, ruby is among the most popular precious stones.

Ruby’s color determines its value. Those with blood-red color or pigeon red color are considered to be the most valuable due to their brightness. Other factors such as clarity, cut and carat weight also determines the value of this stone.

Some of the factors that make this stone to be a darling of many people include luster, durability, rarity, hardness, and beauty. Well, very few people know that rubies are transparent and come in greater sizes. They are rarer compared to other precious stones such as diamonds. Hues of ruby vary from bright red to dark reddish-brown.

Rubies are mined in countries like Thailand, Brazil, Mozambique, the Republic of Macedonia and Burma.

Garnet

Garnets are a variety of gems linked together with physical and chemical properties. In the bronze age (3300 – 1200 BC), the stones were used as an abrasive and gemstone. The different types of garnets include:

Some of the garnet types mentioned above change their color when you view them in incandescent light. Contrary to the opinion of many people that garnet comes only in a dark red color, it comes in various hues of pink, yellow, black, brown, and green. Colorless is also an option.

Garnets are mined in countries such as Scotland, China, Switzerland, Australia, and South Africa. 

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Garnet vs. Ruby

In this comparison, the two stones go head to head based on the following factors:

Symbolism

Garnet

Red and pink stones including garnets are linked to three main elements – passion, blood, and heart. It is believed that this stone possesses different powers such as being an antidote to poison.

Ruby

Medieval European wore rubies for love, wisdom, wealth and health. In ancient times, these stones were believed to be among the most powerful precious metals. In the Bible, they were associated with qualities of wisdom and beauty.

The stone’s rich history adds to its significance and popularity. People believed it had powers to protect the wearer from different forms of harm.

Rubies were also popular for promoting peace.

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How to Use

Garnet

How can you use garnet for your daily activities and benefit from it? The gemstone works wonders on the spirit, mind, and body if you use it correctly. So how do you utilize it properly? Here’s how;

Sexuality and Kundalini Drive

The sacral chakra that is situated in your pelvic region is the foremost garnet chakra. It is important because the kundalini energy, the life force energy, resides there. It is the root of all your sexuality and passion.

Place a garnet beneath your bed or any place in the bedroom to spice things up. If you are suffering from depression, the garnet stone is handy at remedying the condition.

Chakra Alignment and Aura Cleansing

Since garnet can open multiple chakras, its energy moves via all the chakras. Through this, it can ignite your chakra system all at once. Once it cleanses your auric field, it gets rid of all the negativity, curses, hexes and radiations around you.

If you suffer from a weak aura, circle garnet around you thrice to replace and dispel evil energy.

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Immunity and Vitality

Do you have a problem catching a cold and cough whenever you travel? Your immune system could be weak. Garnet is a balm to soothe pains associated with immune disorders. In addition to willpower, it gives you vigor and strength.

The stone is also magical when it comes to boosting blood circulation within your body. By doing that, you feel strong and steady. It is the best helper if you are recovering from injuries and surgeries.

Perception and Intuition

Is garnet a lower chakra gemstone? Many people seem to believe that. Its powers do not stop at first, second and even third chakras. It can go even higher up.

The stone boasts the ability to open your chakra to make you clairvoyant and intuitive. Because of this, you will not only be able to see your destiny but also the future. Enlightenment will be part of you.

Reproductive Issues

Do you have sexual disorders? Infertility could be your killjoy. On top of the medicines you are taking, incorporate garnet into your routine. The accelerated power of your medicine coupled with the garnet crystal will cure your reproductive issues.

Ruby

Passion

It brings love and passion among couples and around careers. Bring this stone into your workspace. It brings out the energy and enthusiasm within you to ensure you love your work.

Grounding

Grounding is another popular power of ruby. It transfers the negativity inside you to the ground. Have a problem with adverse talk? Wearing a ruby is an excellent solution. Having this stone helps you feel pumped.

Love

It brings intimacy and mental bliss. If you are in a cold relationship, you need to gift this stone to your partner. Alternatively, you can wear it yourself. Things will change.

It will amplify your love and whatever you have been yearning for in your relationship. Integrate ruby into your life if you desire activity and harmony in your love life.

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Fidelity

Do you desire dedication within your relationship? Ruby helps the two of you feel or appreciate how dear you are to one another. The stone brings preciousness and fidelity to your relationship. As a couple, having it is necessary.

Strength

If you always feel tired all the time, this is the stone to have. As the root chakra’s stone, it neutralizes your body hormones and fluids to give you energy. Ruby’s strength is also seen as courage and confidence in your voice. When you begin to wear this stone often, you begin to trust yourself.

Zodiac and Chakra

Garnet

Garnet’s primary power source is the sacral chakra. This stone not only makes you passionate but also responsive to your partner. Once you start wearing it, you will never have to grapple with intimacy issues. With it, you are enthusiastic, awake, and full of energy.

Garnet’s power awakens two zodiac signs – Aquarius and Capricorn.

If you are Aquarius, garnet brings with it enlightenment and wisdom. It manifests your dreams into reality. Garnet offers you the wisdom to see your life’s true purpose. It reveals hidden skills within you which you never knew existed.

For the Capricorns, garnet helps you be passionate and strong. It gives you both will power and courage.

Ruby

Root or base chakra is ruby’s core power source. It is situated at your spine’s end. This stone brings life to your base chakra. Courage and grounding, as aforementioned are some of its benefits. If the root chakra is in balance, you feel in control and balance.

Ruby’s official zodiac sign is Capricorn. All ‘capircornians’ should wear ruby. It comes in handy for instilling strength and energy for capircornians. If you doubt yourself, this stone can be magical at giving you self-belief and faith.

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Garnet vs. Ruby – Light

Holding up these stones against light assists you determine which is which.

If there’s a reflection of rainbow colors that includes bands of green and yellow, chances are high that what you are holding is a garnet.

Ruby, on the other hand, absorbs green and yellow meaning there will be no reflection.

Garnet vs. Ruby – Color

While both of these stones feature a deep shade of red, often, rubies appear ‘redder.’ Genuine rubies feature secondary colors like blue and purple within the stone.

Garnet’s color is often pale when you compare it to ruby’s fiery red. Additionally, it features a deeper tone. Garnets also feature some bits of orange.

Garnet vs. Ruby – Durability

On the Mohs hardness scale, rubies rank 9, making them very hard. Actually, in terms of hardness, they come second to diamonds.

On the Mohs hardness scale, garnets rank 6.5 – 7.5. This is considerably lower compared to rubies.

Of these two stones, rubies are more durable than garnets.

Garnet vs. Ruby – Treatments

Rubies are known to undergo different forms of treatment such as glass filling to enhance their transparency. Heat treatments improve their color. Finding untreated rubies is next to impossible. If you find such, they command a premium price.

Generally, as we mentioned earlier, garnets are not treated. It is 100% natural. There are not any common treatments for this stone on the market.

Garnet vs. Ruby – Value

A garnet costs $5 – $5000 per carat. The intensity of red one can derive from a garnet for a fraction of ruby’s price is something you should consider.

The price of ruby ranges from $100 – $15000 a carat making it among the most valuable stones in the market.

Clearly, there is no simple answer to the battle of titans – garnet vs. ruby. It narrows down to your budget and mostly personal preference. Is having an untreated stone important to you but you are limited on a budget? Garnet would make an amazing choice. On the other hand, if history and prestige are important to you, it is prudent to consider a ruby.

Irrespective of the gem you settle for, always remember to pick a high-quality one. This is regardless of the carat size. In addition to that, be on the lookout for a certificate of authenticity. Such a certificate offers accurate details about your preferred gem including enhancements done, quality grade, number of gems used, etc. 

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