Garnet Vs. Sapphire


Garnet is a very popular gemstone composed of a group of silicates.[1] Sapphire is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.[2]

Images of garnet

Images of sapphire


Quick Facts on Differences of Garnet and Sapphire

For a quick recap of the differences garnet and sapphire:
  • For chemical formulas, garnet is X3Y2(SiO4)4 while sapphire is Al2O3.
  • While both garnet and sapphire can be adamantine or vitreous, in terms of luster, garnet can be resinous or submetallic.
  • While both garnet and sapphire can be commonly blue or green, garnet is often black, brown, gray, orange, pink, purple, red or yellow.
  • Garnet's rarity is less rare than sapphire.
  • Garnet's hardness is lower than sapphire - garnet ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 and sapphire is 9 on the Moh's scale.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Garnet and Sapphire

The similarities of garnet and sapphire include:
  • Garnet and sapphire both can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
  • Garnet and sapphire both streak colorless.
  • Garnet's specific gravity overlaps with sapphire - garnet ranges from 3.4 to 4.3 and sapphire ranges from 3.99 to 4.

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 Sapphire

Sapphire is a precious mineral that belongs to the corundum family. It is a variety of aluminum oxide that is distinguished by its blue color, although it can also be found in other colors such as pink, yellow, green, and purple. Sapphire is one of the hardest minerals in the world, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it an ideal material for use in jewelry and industrial applications.

Table Comparison of Garnet vs Sapphire

Garnet (src) Sapphire (src)
Transparency transparent, translucent, opaque transparent, translucent, opaque
Chemical Formula X3Y2(SiO4)4 Al2O3
Chemical Composition a group of silicates silicon dioxide
Specific Gravity 3.4, 4.3 3.99, 4, 4.1
Hardness 6.5, 7.5 9
Streak colorless colorless
Refractive Index 1.72, 1.95 1.757, 1.779
Hydrous No No
Colors common: red, blue, gray, pink, black, brown, green, orange, purple, yellow
common: green, blue
sometimes: pink, amber, yellow
less common: gray, black, brown, white, orange, purple, violet, colorless, red, gold, multicolor
Fracture conchoidal, uneven conchoidal


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