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 ruby vs red diamond 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: Emerald vs Ruby: This Is the Difference
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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
Rubies are grouped as corundum. It contains aluminum dioxide in crystalline form and trace amounts of titanium, vanadium, iron, or chromium within its composition. Red diamonds are made of pure carbon. The red coloring on the diamond is purely authentic and not a result of chemical impurities. Other fancy diamonds result from nitrogen and boron within their chemical structure.
Color
Rubies are richer in color compared to red diamonds. The most valued ruby is pigeon–red. However, a ruby can display dark-red, purplish, or pink hues depending on the amount of chromium. Red diamonds show a slightly lighter red shade compared to a ruby. Rubies are exclusively red, but the coloration of their secondary hues can vary from brown, pink, orange, or purple.
Pattern and Clarity
Rubies lack cleavage and break at a conchoidal fracture. It’s a brittle stone that can have a vitreous, sub-adamantine, and pearly luster on partings. Its streak is white and is transparent to translucent in clarity. When subjected to light, ruby can display pleochroism, showing purplish and orangey hues from different directions.
Red diamonds have perfect cleavage from all four directions. It breaks with a conchoidal fracture and has an adamantine luster. The stone’s clarity varies from transparent to translucent and shows no pleochroism when observed in light. A ruby is likely to have more flaws and inclusions than a red diamond. These imperfections significantly affect the clarity of the ruby.
Also read: Garnet vs. Ruby: This Is The Difference
Hardness
Rubies are less complex stones compared to red diamonds. Ruby rates 9, while a red diamond rates 10 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Care
Rubies are cleaned at home using warm water and mild soap. They are also durable enough to be cleaned with mechanical methods like ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Diamonds are also safely cleaned at home using warm water and household detergents.
The red diamonds should not be subjected to harsher methods like ultrasonic cleaners. Due to its indestructible reputation for being the toughest stone, diamonds are believed not to require any cleansing or recharging. The red diamond can be cleaned when needed by water, soil, sun, and smoke. Rubies can be cleaned and recharged by smoke or sound baths.
Location
The majority of ruby comes from Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and India. Most of the red diamonds are found in Australia but can also be found in Russia, India, and parts of South America.
Uses
Jewelry
Ruby jewelry is worn for courage, success, confidence, and good health. Ruby also improves relationships with your superiors. Red diamond jewelry, however, is symbolic of power and passion. It is worn to improve flexibility.
Feng Shui
The two stones improve the Feng Shui of our spaces. Rubies activate the heath area. In Feng Shui, the center part of the home is associated with health and overall wellbeing. A ruby in this area creates a ripple effect on all home areas. Rubies are also recommended for the bedroom to increase vitality and passion.
Red diamonds are believed to be powerful prosperity stones. In Feng Shui, the stone is placed in the wealth area to invite abundance. This diamond is also considered to absorb negative energies and facilitate chakra healing.
Also read: Morganite vs. Diamond: This is the Difference
Properties
Ruby is considered a good fortune stone. The stone is thought to strengthen the ventricles, heart, and muscles. It’s also believed to facilitate blood circulation and relief menstrual pain.
Ruby holds a lot of spiritual significance. Its energies help people reconnect to the world and give the courage to keep moving to those who feel like giving up. Its connection to the root chakra facilitates emotional grounding and stability in times of uncertainty.
The stone also works with lower chakras like the solar plexus and sacral chakra to boost creativity, passion, and the ability to remain faithful to oneself. Red diamonds are believed to open the crown chakra and instill confidence, faith, serenity, and love. It resonates with the root chakra to bring stability and cultivate endurance. This keeps one focused and motivated towards their goals.
The stone is also perceived to attract luck and good fortune. It’s also believed to release panic and anxiety and improve the wearer’s sexual control.
Also read: Emeralds vs Diamond: This is the Difference
Chakra Association
Both stones strongly resonate with the root/base chakra because of their color. The base chakra is located at the base of the spine and is portrayed as red. It is the chakra responsible for grounding, stability, and safety. The stones will open and activate the chakra for emotional security and stability.
Ruby not only works with the lower chakras, but the heart as well. The heart chakra is located in the heart area and is portrayed as green or pink. It is the chakra associated with compassion, love, and empathy. Ruby is the gemstone for the 40th anniversary, meaning it goes beyond nurturing understanding, perseverance, confidence, pleasure, and power.
Zodiac Association
Ruby is a traditional birthstone for July. The stone resonates best with the Cancer zodiac sign. This stone will bring power and passion and light the path of Cancer. The zodiac sign is not much of a risk-taker that holds them back in life.
The rubyfills the sign-up with confidence and an extra boost in self-belief and self-worth in every step they take.
Red diamonds are modern birthstones for January. This means the stone works best for the people born under the Capricorn banner.
The diamond will bring power, persistence, and grounding to this sign. Capricorns are hardworking and resilient people; therefore, balance, security, and grounding are vital for them to reach their fullest potential.
The red diamond also matches the personality of Aries. Its color matches the courage, passion, and confidence seen in Aries. With the energies of this stone perfectly aligning, nothing can stop them from reaching their goal.
Element Association
Both stones are associated with the fire element. This element is associated with strength, protection, purity, and transformation. This masculine element is associated with Mars, the planet of action, power, and change.
It’s also related to the Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius zodiac signs. The element brings passion, courage, and creativity. Stones and crystals associated with this element can be used to empower action and provide us with the energy required to pursue our goals.
Ruling Planets
Mars rules both stones. The planet is associated with drive, action, energy, and desire. The earth also governs the survival instincts of human beings and animals. Its influence is seen through aggression, anger, how we express our sexuality, and our drive.
When Mars is positively positioned on your birth chart, it provides energy, purpose, and a good personality. It also helps fight diseases and enemies and win competitions. A strong Mars influences quick and better decision-making.
Also read: Red Aventurine vs. Strawberry Quartz: This Is The Difference
Numeric Vibration
Rubies vibrate at the frequency of 3. The number is associated with harmony, wealth, and wisdom. It also exudes self–confidence, better communication, and high levels of creativity. Those who resonate with this number are hardworking, religious, and knowledgeable. Jupiter rules the number; hence, stones of this vibration also embody the planet’s qualities.
Red diamonds vibrate at the frequencies of master number 33. This number is believed to be optimistic, wise, selfless, and a source of hope for those in need. People associated with the number are kind, loving, and empathetic. They are likely to experience vivid dreams and intuitions. The number not only holds powerful energies, but also holds a lot of significance in numerology.
Best Combinations
Ruby can be used together with zoisite gemstones like fuchsite and kyanite. The pair is believed to contain the power to treat spinal problems. Fuchsite combines well with ruby for lucid dreaming.
Ruby can be paired with grounding stones like black obsidian for the root chakra. The pair will effectively bring stability and grounding and nurture a feeling of safety with life decisions. The pair will also bring a sense of assurance that the risks one takes are not in vain.
Red diamonds can also be paired with red jasper for balance in the base chakra. Imbalances within this chakra will manifest in self-doubt, lack of enthusiasm, and detachment from the world around you. This pair will effectively restore energy, motivation, and drive.
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