Ruby, Spinel and Garnet: A Comparison of Top Red Gemstones

_{The three red gemstones under yellow light (left - Garnet, middle - Ruby, right - Spinel)}

In the world of gemstones colour is a key factor in determining value and desirability. The colour red, and the many shades that relate to it are among the most prominent. When it comes to the colour red arguably the most valuable and popular gemstone type is the ruby. With a gemstone name that starts with the letter ‘R', rubies have become synonymous with this particular colour, and are among the rarest stones in the world, also the most valuable. However, in the world of precious stones, rubies are not the only game in town, as they have faced a number of other red gemstone varieties. In fact, there are quite a few red coloured stones that fit into the gemstone category, however, only two main gemstone types have made the cut. They are spinels and garnets. Here we will provide a side by side comparison of these red stones, looking at their strengths weaknesses and how they differ from one another, and what is the right choice for you.

_{Pigeon Blood Ruby Gemstone}

Rubies

Rubies as noted are the undisputed kings of red gemstones and with good reason. Rubies have long been recognized as valuable, with their use going back thousands of years, with references to the gemstone being found in sources as varied as Scriptures, to Vedic scripts. Rubies valued for their rarity and colour stand out in the gemstone world owing to their high durability. As corundum-based gemstones (like sapphires) rubies score a solid 9.0 on the Mohs scale. Whilst is considerably less hard than diamonds, rubies owing to their ability to withstand cuts, scratches and other impacts. Ruby’s colour is arguably its most stand-out feature if one speaks about a gemstone that is synonymous with the red colour. However, the colour red is not uniform in its character, with a variety of shades and tones of red being found in this particular gemstone group. Since the colour red in rubies is the result of the presence of the trace mineral chromium, which is rare in nature, and it is especially rare in gemstones in sufficient quantities, minus the absence of other trace elements which can affect the red hue of the stone. For a closer look into the world of rubies, and how they stand out from other gemstones, including those with comparable hues, have a look at our Ruby Education pages. Here is a breakdown of the key characteristics of rubies:

_{Cushion cut Spinel Gemstone}

Spinels

Spinels are minerals made of magnesium aluminium oxide and are found in a number of gem producing countries, with the main sources being the alluvial deposits where conundrum gemstones are found. Spinels have long been in use, like rubies in many respects, because for a long time, spinels were confused with rubies, as both gemstone types tended to be predominantly found in the same sources. With gem producing countries like Sri Lanka (Ceylon). One of the reasons that spinels have been confused with its conundrum based alternatives, is that these stones score high on the Mohs scale, coming in at 8.0. In addition, it is also extremely resistant to other types of adverse effects coming from chemical and environmental causes. Spinels popularity has grown over the decades, notably following its recognition as a distinct gemstone variety around 500 years ago. Spinels were named in 1779 by a man named Jean Demeste, derived from the Latin term "spinella": which means little thorn, referring to its sharp octahedral crystals.

One of the reasons why spinels were mixed up with rubies, is that gem-quality stones in this variety are very rare, with those scoring high in the colour, clarity and carat standards arguably matching those of rubies, besides being found among the same deposits. With famous spinel gemstone examples such as the Black Prince’s Ruby: the 170-carat stone that finds itself in the Crown Jewels is a notable example. So it was not until the advances in modern chemistry microscopic testing that the distinct character of spinels was identified. With its rising popularity, spinels were added as the gemstones for the month of August. The study of spinels extends much further, so for a deeper look, why not check out our Education page dedicated to Spinel Stones, for now here is a quick breakdown of their main characteristics:

^{Rhodolite garnet gemstone}

Garnets

Garnets are a part of a mineral group and are noted as a distinct category of gemstone, with the red variant being the most popular. In fact, red or crimson garnets have become so popular over the years that the red variant in this gemstone family has come to be associated with the group as a whole. This is not the case in reality, however, as garnets come in a variety of colours, with many distinct tones and shades. The variety of colours corresponds to the specific garnet type: which differs in terms of trace mineral content and chemical composition. You see there is a single type of garnet that contain the same chemical character, unlike the conundrum-based rubies. Garnets differ in their chemical composition, which in turn corresponds to distinct colours: with hues as varied as orange, green, yellow and even brown being found in nature. Our focus here is on the red type of garnets: the most popular. It is interesting to note that there is no single version of red garnets, as the hues that are found in this gemstone come in a variety of tones, with corresponding garnet varieties (or species) being of a combined or hybrid in character. The most notable here is the rhodolite garnet: which is known for its distinct red hues with a slightly purplish tint.

Garnets are found in a number of countries across the world, and their widespread availability geographically also relates to the diversity of natural sources from which they are taken which includes: igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks and their appearance ranges from transparent to opaque in colour, depending on the area in which the rock was found, and its state of purity and polish. In the garnet gemstone range, the four (or top four) dominant types of garnet are pyrope, almandine, spessartine, and grossular garnet types. The rhodolite garnets are a combination of almandine and pyrope species, making them a top hybrid garnet. The study of garnets is a much broader enterprise and we will encourage you to look at our Garnet Education page for more information. Here we will look at the rhodolite garnet type for this comparison.

(Place images of three gemstones side by side)

Rubies, Spinels Or Garnets: Which is the Best Red Gemstone?

When choosing between these top three red gemstones there are a number of factors you may have to consider. Whilst familiarity with and desirability for a particular type of gemstone is most likely the main driving factor, there are other more subtle reasons for which one choice may seem more suitable than the other. For example, when picking your favourite red gemstone, it could be better to go with your month of birth. To wear a stone that corresponds to the respective month is believed to be a sign of good luck and is thought to add a host of benefits for the wearer, depending on the qualities that are associated with the stone. For the month of January, it is the powerful garnet gemstone, for August it is the lovely Spinel and for July it is the luscious ruby. However if the buyer is driven by other considerations like price and rarity, then a deeper look into the factors that determine gemstone quality will be warranted.