In order to work with our crystals effectively, we need to understand their properties. With crystals that look similar or have similar uses, such as emeralds and ruby it can be difficult to determine which one to work with. The answer should always be; the one that you are drawn to the most. However, if you are looking to find the difference in physical appearance as well as metaphysical properties, you’ll find your answer here.
Continue reading if you want to know more about the (physical) qualities of these stones, as well as how you can use them in your spiritual practice.
Also read: Jade vs. Emerald: This Is The Difference
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Emeralds vs Ruby – How To Tell The Difference?
In order to understand the difference between these two stones, we can look at the color, shape, pattern, clarity, and more. Below we’ll describe all these aspects in detail.
Chemical Composition
Emeralds are classified as cyclosilicates and a variety of beryl. The chemical composition contains beryllium, aluminum, and silicon. They may also contain trace amounts of vanadium or chromium, responsible for the green color.
Rubies are a crystalline form of aluminum oxide. They are made of corundum but may also contain trace elements of chromium, replacing aluminum in the composition, which results in its red color.
Color
Good quality emeralds are pure, vibrant green. They may have a bluish hue and no evidence of color-zoning. Its secondary hues will vary from blue-green to yellow-green. The stones are only found in green color.
Good quality rubies are pigeon red. They are also exclusively red, but differ in color saturation and tones. The stones may exhibit purple, orange, pink, or brown secondary hues.
Pattern and Clarity
Valuable emeralds are transparent and evenly distributed in coloration. It also has a hexagonal crystal system and a vitreous luster. It also leaves a white streak. Furthermore, it is quite normal to find inclusions and surface-reaching fractures on an emerald. Rubies also display inclusions as part of their character. These imperfections are considered proof of their authenticity. Larger inclusions will significantly affect its transparency. A natural ruby will contain needle-like inclusions that contribute to the gemstone’s beauty. Its inclusions can also cause asterism (the star effect) on different occasions, especially if cut in cabochon.
Rubies also display pleochroism. It may appear purplish and orange from different crystal dimensions. It also has a trigonal crystal system, shows no cleavage, and is transparent to translucent in clarity. The gemstone leaves a colorless streak and has an adamantine to vitreous luster.
Also read: Emeralds vs Diamond: This is the Difference
Hardness
Rubies are harder gemstones compared to emeralds. An emerald’s rate is 7.5- 8, while a ruby’s rate is nine on the Mohs hardness scale. Both stones are fairly tough to withstand damage, but require proper care and maintenance to last longer.
Care
Emeralds can be cleaned using warm water and a mild detergent. Harsh detergents, alcohol, or acetone may alter the treatments done on the stone. The stone can also be energy cleansed and recharged by burying it in the ground overnight or placing it in a bowl of sea salt.
Rubies can also be cleaned using warm water and soap by soaking the gemstone to loosen the dirt buildup. It should also be stored away from harder stones to prevent damage. Rubrics will do well with sound or smoke cleansing for energy cleansing and recharge.
Location
Most emeralds come from Brazil, Colombia, and Zambia, while rubies are found in Pakistan, Myanmar, and other Asian countries.
Use
Jewelry
Emerald jewelry promotes good Feng Shui and helps you in finding love. The energies of the stone also offer support in life endeavors. Rubies are worn to symbolize love and peace. The gorgeous red gemstone will invite passion and devotion in marriages.
Feng shui
In Feng Shui practices, emeralds are used to activate the wealth corner. The stone connects to the wood element to invite luck and abundance. The green gemstone is also a good addition to the gemstone collection to attract love and nurture relationships for its connection to unconditional love energies and the heart chakra.
Rubies invite life, warmth, passion, and energy. In Feng Shui, rubies dispel bad luck and bring happiness and good health. The stone can also be used in the bedroom for improved sex life and to prevent bad dreams.
Also read: Garnet vs. Ruby: This Is The Difference
Properties
Emeralds are believed to bring good fortune, better memory, intelligence, and vitality to the spirit of their bearer. The stone is also believed to possess mystical powers that offer protection from the gods, soothing energies, and the ability to see the future. It also has healing abilities for the emotional and physical body. Its connection to the heart chakra enhances mental and emotional clarity, compassion, and patience. It is also used to treat heart, lungs, eyes, and liver conditions. It is also believed to heal sinuses and diabetes.
Rubies also possess healing abilities for the mind, body, and soul. The stones are believed to increase vitality, amplify energies, and transform thoughts and desires into physical manifestation. Its connection to the root chakra helps the physical body’s grounding and emotional stability.
It also exudes loving energies to the user, soothing anger and past feelings. It’s a stone that can help cultivate friendships and relationships and bring positivity to your life. Furthermore, it also reminds you to love and believe in your capacity to do great things as much as you do to others. The stone will also offer courage, strength, and a positive mindset when faced with adversity. It’s also a stone associated with luck and good fortune.
For physical healing, the energies of this stone are believed to strengthen the muscles, aid better blood circulation and relieve menstrual pain.
Also read: Rhodonite vs. Rhodolite: This Is The Difference
Chakra Association
The green color of an emerald suggests that it is closely related to the heart chakra. The stone opens and activates this chakra, providing wisdom, empathy, compassion, and patience to the bearer. This chakra is located at the center of the breastbone and is associated with our emotions, inspiration, balance, and ability to interact with the world around us.
Emeralds can therefore be used to improve one’s perception of the world and control what we desire/ embrace and what we resist. The stone can also stimulate the higher heart chakra for better understanding, compassion, and respect towards others.
Ruby is a red stone, therefore connected to the root chakra. It’s the chakra found at the base of the spine. This chakra governs our ability to stay grounded, feelings of safety, bodily movement, and general feelings.
The root chakra is the basis of one’s spiritual and physical energies and the foundation for the entire chakra system. Rubies can therefore be used to restore balance when you feel detached from reality or depressed. It also strengthens one’s mindset during trying times.
Zodiac Association
Emeralds are a traditional zodiac birthstone for Cancer and Taurus. The stone also has talismanic benefits to Gemini and is a gem for Mondays. It is associated with abundance, love, beauty, and renewal. These zodiacs can use the stone to manifest growth in all aspects of their lives.
Rubies, on the other hand, are modern birthstones for July. The stone works well for Cancer, Aries, Leo, and Virgo. Aries is enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. They are also susceptible to anger and impatience. This is where rubies come in by helping the sign manage their anger, especially during social interactions.
People under the Cancer zodiac banner are loving and creative. In relationships, these people will give their best and invest emotions without holding anything back. This makes them very emotional and likely to hold grudges. Rubies are useful in helping them let go of the emotions that no longer serve them.
Leos are charming and fiercely loyal. On the flip side, they can be bossy and arrogant. Rubies are good at highlighting Leo’s positive attributes.
Element Association
Both gemstones are connected to the earth element. This element is associated with harmony, stability, and security. Earth is associated with responsibility, ambition, nurturing, and stubbornness. It’s also associated with emotions like happiness and worry.
The earth element is the main element in the physical body makeup. Crystals of this element resonate with most bodily processes. These crystals are also good for manifesting abundance and growth and restoring energy balance.
Earth element crystals will also stabilize and protect your energy field. As element crystals, emeralds and rubies can be used to evoke success, fertility, and material gain.
Ruling Planets
Emeralds are associated with Mercury. This is the planet of memory, communication, and intellect. In medicine, the planet is associated with sense organs, brain, nervous and respiratory systems. Symbolically, the planet represents our personalities and an influence on our day-to-day communication patterns. Its position on our birth chart indicates how we learn, interact, and pass information.
Rubies are associated with the planet Mars. It is a masculine energy that governs passion, drive, and initiative. The planet indicates the logic behind an action, sexual instincts, and how we pursue what we want to achieve. Its position on our birth chart indicates our desire, how we respond to or react to conflicts, and physical and spiritual strengths.
Also read: Alexandrite vs Amethyst: This is the Difference
Numerical Vibrations
Emeralds resonate with the vibrational frequencies of 4. The energies of the number exude mindfulness, trust, hard work, and responsibility. Number 4 personalities can be overly conservative because they focus on what matters.
Emeralds will invite focus and concentration to achieve your purpose and intent. The energies of 4 are lucky to have around because they encourage initiative and hard work.
Rubies resonate with the vibrational frequency of 3. The number is associated with creativity, inspiration, and intelligence. People of this number are fun-loving, adventurous, and self-expressive. These stones can help manifest desires and find clarity and peace from within. In tough times, a number 3 stone will encourage concentration and restore stamina.
Best Combinations
For the heart chakra, emeralds will work well with rose quartz. The pink stone pairs with the emerald to bring energies of peace, love, compassion, and healing. The pair works to remove guilt, emotional pain, and resentment. Both stones will promote and bring stability to allow for healthy relationships. An open-heart chakra will encourage forgiveness and contentment and awaken the ability to love and receive love in the relationship.
Emeralds can also be used with rhodonite to restore confidence and the spark in a romantic relationship. The pair soothes loneliness and helps you focus on what you desire the most. Both stones can be used in finding a new partner.
Rubies are used together with carnelian for motivation and positivity. Aside from that, the pair influences our life decisions, love life, and sexual energies. The energies of the pair will encourage you to explore and get in touch with your romantic and sexual side.
Rubies and blue sapphires are a great pair for better communication. Sapphires symbolize faithfulness and sincerity, the core values and foundation of any successful relationship.
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