What Are the Best Red Gemstones (And How Do They Compare)?

Red is the color of love and passion. It can be loud, attention-grabbing, and absolutely gorgeous.

It’s no wonder that red gemstones are very popular for all types of jewelry. But there are many red gemstones to choose from, and they range in hue, meaning, durability, and pricing. There’s a lot to consider before shopping for your next piece of red gemstone jewelry. Let’s explore some of the most popular ones, so you can decide which is the best fit for you or your loved one. 

Red gemstones are incredibly versatile. This is primarily due to their color variability and the fact that they look good with different metal colors and combined with other gemstones. They can perfectly accent a vintage style necklace or a modern engagement ring alike.

Some of the most popular red gemstones are: ruby, garnet, spinel, tourmaline, zircon, and fire opal. They are all incredibly different in terms of color, chemical composition, and price, but they’re all equally beautiful in their own way.

Let’s dig in a bit deeper to discover if any of them speak to you. 

Ruby

When you think of a red gemstone, chances are you immediately think of ruby. This isn't surprising, given that the three most commonly known precious colored gemstones are ruby, sapphire, and emerald. 

Rubies are a member of the corundum family, which is also the family that sapphire belongs to. The difference between rubies and sapphires is that rubies contain chromium, which gives them their distinctive red color. The more chromium present in a stone, the brighter the red in the ruby.

Rubies do sometimes have inclusions, but not so much that they distract from the gemstone’s beauty. They are rated 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes them perfectly durable for jewelry that will be worn on a daily basis.

A quality ruby of decent size can be quite expensive, so it’s best to shop with a reputable jeweler and only consider stones that come with a grading certificate from a well-known laboratory.

Garnet

Garnets differ from rubies in many ways. Yes, garnets are generally less expensive than rubies, but they’re still a beautiful gemstone. They range in color from deep red to purple-red and are often free of inclusions, which allows their rich color to shine even more vividly. Depending upon their color, they may contain one of several types of minerals, including almandine and pyrope. Garnets are a 6.5 - 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes them significantly softer than rubies. They are therefore not ideal for everyday wear jewelry, as they are prone to scratches. 

Spinel

Spinel can often be confused for ruby, and most famously has been used in many pieces of royal jewelry.

Spinel can resemble ruby in color but also comes in pink and orange hues. It typically lacks large inclusions and has a slightly lower refractive index than ruby, giving it a more subtle sparkle. It's quite affordable and is an 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes it suitable for everyday wear jewelry. All of these things combined make spinel a great, budget friendly, and beautiful choice for colored gemstone jewelry. 

Tourmaline

Tourmalines are available in a wide variety of colors, green being the most popular. It’s also available in blue and purple, but the red and pink variety is called rubellite tourmaline. Rubellite tourmaline ranks a 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it suitable for frequent wear—but it should be worn with care to avoid scratching or damage.

Tourmalines tend to have more inclusions than the previously discussed gemstones, but this does not reduce the value of the stone. Tourmalines can be expensive depending upon the size and quality, but rubellite is not nearly as pricey as the green varieties. 

Zircon

When someone mentions zircon, you probably think of a bright blue gemstone that looks like clear ocean water. But zircon is also available in other colors, such as red. If cut well, zircon can sparkle beautifully, giving it an almost glittery look. With a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, it’s less than ideal for everyday wear, as it can be more easily scratched or chipped compared to harder gemstones. Fairly affordable, zircon makes a gorgeous piece of jewelry that can be worn with care. 

Carnelian

Carnelian is a very interesting gemstone with a long history dating all the way back to ancient Egypt. It belongs to the chalcedony family, known for its smooth, milky blue cabochon gemstones often cut into freeform shapes. As a type of quartz, it has an opaque, silky appearance. Carnelian, another variety, tends to be more orange-pink than bright red. It looks beautiful in organic style designs and can be especially gorgeous in drusy varieties. Carnelian is a 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it susceptible to damage and better suited for a necklace than for a ring or bracelet. 

Fire Opal

Mexican fire opals—often simply called fire opals—are a striking variety of opal that range in color from vibrant red and orange to nearly clear. Some display a play of color, while others are prized for their vivid body color alone. The majority of Mexican fire opals come from the states of Jalisco, Querétaro, and Guerrero in Mexico. They are formed in volcanic rock when water rich in silica goes into the cracks in rocks. When the water evaporates, the silica is left behind, forming the opals. This also accounts for their interesting freeform shapes. Mexican fire opals can vary greatly in color from bright red, orange, yellow, or clear. Within each of these colors you'll find flashes of other hues, including purple, blue, and green. 

While fire opals can contain inclusions, they’re often not very noticeable because of the stone’s unique shapes and vibrant color combinations, which tend to draw the eye away from any imperfections.

Fire opals have developed great symbolism over time and are associated with passion, optimism, and healing. They can be used for a variety of jewelry and make a wonderful statement piece because of their vivid colors. They are most often seen in earrings and pendants in their freeform state.

There are also some fire opals that are faceted; these tend to be a little less translucent than their freeform counterparts. The faceted stones can be more readily used in traditional style jewelry because they are easier to set (due to their shape).

Fire opals range from 5.5 - 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so it’s important to take great care with them to avoid damage. 

Final Thoughts

The earth has given us a variety of red gemstones to choose from. Which red gem is the best choice for you will depend upon what exactly you’re looking for. Ask yourself what shade of red you’re drawn to, what your budget allows, what type of jewelry you’re shopping for, and how often you plan to wear it. Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the red gemstone that best fits your lifestyle and preferences.