Comparison · Semi-Precious Stones vs Silicate Minerals
Garnet vs Staurolite
Garnet and Staurolite 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 Staurolite
- Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Garnet leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Staurolite leaves white to grayish.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Garnet is transparent, Staurolite is translucent.
- They overlap in red and brown, but Garnet also comes in orange, green, and purple and Staurolite also comes in black.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Garnet is cubic, Staurolite is monoclinic.
Garnet vs Staurolite properties
| Property | Garnet | Staurolite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Semi-Precious Stones | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 7.25 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White to grayish |
| Transparency | transparent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.8 | 3.7 |
| Crystal system | cubic | monoclinic |
| Common colors | Red, Orange, Green, Purple, Brown | Reddish brown, Brown, Dark brown, Black |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $10–$3000+ | $5–$300+ |
Which is more valuable?
Garnet is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $45 for Staurolite, 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 Staurolite
Staurolite is an iron aluminum silicate famous for its cross-shaped twinned crystals. It forms reddish-brown to nearly black prismatic crystals in metamorphic schists and is a classic index mineral of medium-grade metamorphism.
Garnet vs Staurolite FAQ
Is Garnet the same as Staurolite?
No. Garnet is a semi-precious stone while Staurolite is a silicate 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 Staurolite?
Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Garnet leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Staurolite leaves white to grayish. Hold a thin edge to the light: Garnet is transparent, Staurolite is translucent.
Which is harder, Garnet or Staurolite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7.
Which is more valuable, Garnet or Staurolite?
Garnet is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $45 for Staurolite, and premium Garnet can reach $3000 or more.
