Ruby and Garnet Color

A. Ruby Color Characteristics

• Ruby exhibits a rich, vibrant red with strong saturation.
• The most valuable rubies have a pure red or slightly bluish-red hue, often referred to as pigeon blood red.
• High-quality rubies show even color distribution without dark or dull areas.
• Under natural and artificial light, rubies maintain their bright, fiery red tone without brown or orange tints.

B. Garnet Color Characteristics

• Garnet tends to have a deeper, darker red, often with brown or orange undertones.
• Some garnets, especially almandine and pyrope garnets, may appear almost burgundy or wine-red.
• Garnets generally lack the intense vibrancy of ruby and may appear darker, especially in dim lighting.
• Unlike rubies, garnets may show a slight shift in color under different lighting conditions, sometimes appearing more brownish-red.

The way a gemstone interacts with light affects how its color appears.

A. Ruby’s Brilliance

• Ruby has a strong internal glow, which is due to its high refractive index (1.76–1.78).
• High-quality rubies exhibit a bright, fiery sparkle, even in low light.
• When viewed under sunlight or UV light, rubies fluoresce, intensifying their red color.

B. Garnet’s Brilliance

• Garnet has a lower refractive index (1.72–1.75), making it less brilliant than ruby.
• Garnet’s sparkle is softer and more subdued, often displaying more deep red tones than an internal glow.
• Unlike ruby, garnet does not fluoresce, meaning it lacks the extra luminosity that makes ruby appear more vivid.

Both gemstones may exhibit secondary hues, but they differ in intensity and appearance.

• Ruby often has bluish or pinkish undertones, which enhance its vividness.
• Garnet commonly has brown, orange, or burgundy undertones, making it appear darker and less lively.

Testing Ruby vs. Garnet Under Light

One simple way to differentiate ruby from garnet is to hold the stone under a bright light and observe its internal color.

• A ruby will glow with a vibrant red and may show some fluorescence.
• A garnet will appear darker, with brownish or muted red tones, lacking a glowing effect.

Color plays a major role in determining the value of both rubies and garnets.

A. Ruby Pricing by Color

• Pigeon blood red ruby (high saturation, slightly bluish-red): $10,000 – $100,000 per carat.
• Vivid red ruby (intense, pure red): $5,000 – $50,000 per carat.
• Lighter pinkish-red or purplish-red ruby: $2,000 – $10,000 per carat.

B. Garnet Pricing by Color

• Deep red garnet (almandine, pyrope): $50 – $500 per carat.
• Raspberry-red garnet (rhodolite): $100 – $1,000 per carat.
• Orange-red garnet (spessartine): $100 – $2,000 per carat.

Due to its extreme rarity and demand, ruby is significantly more expensive than garnet.

A. Garnets Are Not “Cheap Rubies”

Many people mistake garnet for ruby due to their similar red color, but they are completely different minerals. Garnet is not a lower-grade ruby but a separate gemstone with its own value.

B. Not All Rubies Are Bright Red

While high-quality rubies are known for their intense red hue, some rubies appear pinkish or purplish-red, depending on their origin.

C. Garnet Can Be More Transparent Than Ruby

Some garnets, especially rhodolite garnets, can appear clearer and more transparent than included rubies, but they still lack the same level of brilliance.