AllMineralsRock
Garnet Vs. Jasper
Garnet is a very popular gemstone composed of a group of silicates.[1] Jasper is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Garnet and Jasper
For a quick recap of the differences garnet and jasper:- While both garnet and jasper can be opaque, garnet can be translucent or transparent.
- For chemical formulas, garnet is X3Y2(SiO4)4 while jasper is SiO2.
- While both garnet and jasper can be vitreous, in terms of luster, garnet can be adamantine, resinous or submetallic and jasper can be dull or waxy.
- Garnet streaks colorless while jasper streaks white.
- While both garnet and jasper can be commonly red, garnet is often black, blue, brown, gray, green, orange, pink, purple or yellow.
- Garnet's specific gravity is higher than jasper - garnet ranges from 3.4 to 4.3 and jasper ranges from 2.55 to 2.91.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Garnet and Jasper
The similarities of garnet and jasper include:- Garnet's rarity is similar to jasper.
- Garnet's hardness overlaps with jasper - garnet ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 and jasper ranges from 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's scale.
Summary of Garnet
Garnet is a popular mineral that is commonly found in metamorphic rocks. It is a silicate mineral that is composed of calcium, iron, magnesium, aluminum, and chromium. Garnet has a distinct reddish-brown color, but it can also be found in shades of green, yellow, orange, and black. It is a hard mineral and has a Mohs hardness scale rating of 6.5-7.5.Summary of Jasper
Jasper is a type of mineral that is commonly found in sedimentary rocks, and is usually formed through the deposition of silica-rich sediments. It is a beautiful and unique mineral that comes in a variety of colors, including red, brown, yellow, green, and blue. Jasper is often used in jewelry making, as well as for decorative purposes in home decor and landscaping.Table Comparison of Garnet vs Jasper
| Garnet (src) | Jasper (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | opaque |
| Chemical Formula | X3Y2(SiO4)4 | SiO2 |
| Chemical Composition | a group of silicates | silicon dioxide |
| Specific Gravity | 3.4, 4.3 | 2.55, 2.91 |
| Hardness | 6.5, 7.5 | 6.5, 7 |
| Streak | colorless | white |
| Refractive Index | 1.72, 1.95 | 1.54, 1.553 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: red, blue, gray, pink, black, brown, green, orange, purple, yellow |
common: red sometimes: yellow less common: blue, gray, black, brown, green, white, orange, band, multicolor |
| Category | nesosilicate | chalcedony |
| Birefringence | none | δ = 0.009 |
| Fracture | conchoidal, uneven | conchoidal |