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Red Gemstones: Yaqoot, Marjan, Garnet and Red Aqeeq سرخ
In short: Our natural red stones are Yaqoot (ruby), Marjan (red coral), garnet and red agate (surkh Aqeeq). Ruby and garnet are transparent and usually faceted; coral and red agate are opaque or translucent and cut smooth. Ruby is by far the hardest at 9 on the Mohs scale, while coral is soft and organic.
We carry four natural reds: Yaqoot (ruby), Marjan (red coral), garnet and red agate, the surkh Aqeeq. Ruby and garnet are transparent and usually faceted; coral and red agate are opaque or translucent and polished smooth. Ruby is far harder than the rest, while coral is soft and organic.
- Hardest
- Yaqoot, 9 Mohs
- Organic
- Marjan (red coral)
- Ruby look-alike
- Garnet
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Four reds compared
| Stone | Hardness (Mohs) | Look | Typical treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yaqoot | 9 | Pinkish to deep red that glows in light | Heating common; some are glass-filled |
| Garnet | 6.5–7.5 | Darker, often brownish or wine red | Rarely treated |
| Marjan | 3–4 | Opaque orange-red to blood red, organic | Sometimes dyed or filled |
| Red agate | 6.5–7 | Translucent orange-red with a waxy shine | Often heated or dyed |
Ruby or garnet?
This is the question we get most about red stones. Ruby tends to show a cleaner red with touches of pink or purple, and it glows strongly in daylight. Garnet usually looks darker and browner. Garnet is also singly refractive, something a gem lab can confirm in a few minutes.
Before you buy
- Ruby: ask whether it has been heated or glass-filled. A filled ruby needs gentle handling and is worth far less. We disclose both.
- Marjan: look for natural growth lines. Perfectly uniform colour and a plasticky feel point to dye or an imitation.
- Red agate: hold it up to the light. Natural colour is usually a little uneven.
With Cash on Delivery you open the parcel in front of the rider and check the stone before you pay. If you want extra certainty, you can have it tested at an independent lab.
What makes one red stone worth more
A ruby is worth most when its red is strong and pure, with a glow and few visible inclusions, and unheated stones command more. Garnet is valued for a bright red that doesn't go too dark. With coral, an even deep red free of cracks and holes matters most, and with red agate, a clear, translucent glow.
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