RocksdayPyrope vs Rhodolite
To tell Pyrope from Rhodolite: Pyrope is a purer blood red and contains little iron.
Blood-red magnesium garnet formed deep in the mantle and carried up by volcanic eruptions.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
A rose-red to raspberry garnet halfway between pyrope and almandine. It is a mix, not a separate species.
Photo: Dave Dyet http://www.shutterstone.com http://www.dyet.com, Public domain
Key differences
- Pyrope is a purer blood red and contains little iron.
Side by side
| Property | Pyrope | Rhodolite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 7–7.5 | 7–7.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Red | Red, Purple, Pink |
| Crystal system | Cubic | Cubic |
| Specific gravity | 3.58–3.65 | 3.7–3.9 |
| Formula | Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ | (Mg,Fe)₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ |
| Found in | Bohemia, Czech Republic; Garnet Ridge, Arizona | Cowee Valley, North Carolina; Tanzania |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify pyrope
- Fiery blood red, often as small rounded grains.
- Hardness 7–7.5.
- Commonly loose grains in volcanic or kimberlite ground.
Crystal system: Cubic
Full Pyrope guide →How to identify rhodolite
- Purplish rose red, lighter in tone than typical almandine.
- Hardness 7–7.5.
- Usually pebbles or rounded crystals.
Crystal system: Cubic
Full Rhodolite guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between pyrope and rhodolite?
Pyrope is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 7–7.5 and a vitreous luster, usually red. Rhodolite is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 7–7.5 and a vitreous luster, usually red, purple or pink.
How can you tell pyrope from rhodolite?
Pyrope is a purer blood red and contains little iron.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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