Comparison · Semi-Precious Stones vs Minerals
Garnet vs Grossular
Garnet and Grossular are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Garnet and Grossular
- Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Garnet is transparent, Grossular is Transparent to translucent.
- They overlap in orange, green, and brown, but Garnet also comes in red and purple and Grossular also comes in clear, yellow, and pink.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Garnet is cubic, Grossular is Cubic.
Garnet vs Grossular properties
| Property | Garnet | Grossular |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Semi-Precious Stones | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous to resinous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | transparent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.8 | 3.4–3.8 |
| Crystal system | cubic | Cubic |
| Common colors | Red, Orange, Green, Purple, Brown | Colorless, Green, Yellow, Orange (hessonite), Brown, Pink |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $10–$3000+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Garnet is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $20 for Grossular, and premium Garnet can reach $3000 or more.
About Garnet
Garnet is a group of silicate minerals that share similar crystal structures. While red garnets are most common, they occur in every color except blue.
About Grossular
Grossular is the calcium aluminum member of the garnet group, Ca3Al2(SiO4)3, notable for its unusually broad color range that spans colorless, green, yellow, orange, red, and brown depending on trace element substitutions. It forms characteristically in calcium-rich metamorphic rocks such as skarns and impure marbles, where it crystallizes during contact or regional metamorphism. Its name derives from the botanical genus for gooseberries, referencing the pale green color of the type specimens from Siberia.
Garnet vs Grossular FAQ
Is Garnet the same as Grossular?
No. Garnet is a semi-precious stone while Grossular is a mineral. Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Garnet from Grossular?
Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Hold a thin edge to the light: Garnet is transparent, Grossular is Transparent to translucent. They overlap in orange, green, and brown, but Garnet also comes in red and purple and Grossular also comes in clear, yellow, and pink.
Which is harder, Garnet or Grossular?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7.
Which is more valuable, Garnet or Grossular?
Garnet is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $20 for Grossular, and premium Garnet can reach $3000 or more.
