Carnelian Vs. Garnet

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

Quick Facts on Differences of Carnelian and Garnet

For a quick recap of the differences carnelian and garnet:

• For chemical formulas, carnelian is SiO2 while garnet is X3Y2(SiO4)4.
• While both carnelian and garnet is vitreous, in terms of luster, garnet can be adamantine, resinous or submetallic.
• Carnelian streaks white while garnet streaks colorless.
• While both carnelian and garnet can be commonly orange or red, garnet is often black, blue, brown, gray, green, pink, purple or yellow.
• Carnelian's specific gravity is lower than garnet - carnelian ranges from 2.58 to 2.64 and garnet ranges from 3.4 to 4.3.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Carnelian and Garnet

The similarities of carnelian and garnet include:

• Carnelian and garnet both can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
• Carnelian's rarity is similar to garnet.
• Carnelian's hardness overlaps with garnet - carnelian ranges from 6.5 to 7 and garnet ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Moh's scale.

Summary of Carnelian

Carnelian is a mineral that belongs to the chalcedony group of minerals. It is a translucent to opaque stone that is commonly red, brown, or orange in color. It is often used in jewelry and decorative objects due to its attractive appearance and durability.

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.

Table Comparison of Carnelian vs Garnet