Scarlet vs. Ruby — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Scarlet is a bright red color with a slight orange tint, often associated with vividness and warmth, while ruby describes a deep, slightly purplish red color, akin to the gemstone.
Difference Between Scarlet and Ruby
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Scarlet is recognized for its vibrant, slightly orange-red hue, making it a popular choice in fashion and design for its eye-catching appeal. On the other hand, ruby is characterized by its deeper, more purplish-red tone, which conveys a sense of luxury and is often associated with elegance and richness.
In the context of color psychology, scarlet is often linked to energy, passion, and action, suggesting a dynamic and proactive feeling. Whereas ruby, with its darker red shade, is frequently associated with power, wealth, and vitality, implying a more profound and intense emotional impact.
From a historical perspective, scarlet has been used as a color of royalty, prestige, and ceremonial significance, particularly in military uniforms and academic robes. Ruby, meanwhile, connotes a royal status as well, but is more closely tied to the value and desirability of the ruby gemstone, often used in jewelry and royal insignia.
In art and literature, scarlet often symbolizes sin and immorality, famously used in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s "The Scarlet Letter." On the other hand, ruby is used to represent deep love, passion, and sometimes mystery, reflecting its gemstone's allure and value.
In terms of availability in pigments and dyes, scarlet is relatively easy to produce and has been known since ancient times, derived from various natural sources. Ruby, however, refers specifically to the color of the ruby gemstone and suggests a certain exclusivity due to its association with the precious stone.
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Comparison Chart
Hue
Bright red with a slight orange tint
Deep, slightly purplish red
Associated Meanings
Energy, passion, action
Power, wealth, vitality
Historical Use
Royalty, prestige, ceremonies
Royal jewels, luxury
Symbolism in Literature
Sin, immorality
Love, passion, mystery
Source and Availability
Easily produced, natural dyes
Associated with precious gemstones
Compare with Definitions
Scarlet
Associated with sin or warning.
The scarlet letter symbolized her social ostracism.
Ruby
Rare and valuable.
A ruby appearance in that region is highly prized.
Scarlet
Bold and noticeable.
He painted the door a scarlet red to make a statement.
Ruby
Deep red color reminiscent of a ruby gemstone.
Her ruby necklace matched her gown perfectly.
Scarlet
A bright red color.
The dress was a vivid scarlet, turning heads at the party.
Ruby
Connoting wealth and status.
The ruby slippers were said to be worth thousands.
Scarlet
Vivid and striking.
The sunset was a brilliant scarlet, painting the sky.
Ruby
Rich and luxurious.
The velvet curtains were a dark shade of ruby.
Scarlet
Pertaining to prestige or ceremonial use.
The judges wore scarlet robes.
Ruby
Symbolic of deep love and passion.
He gave her a ruby ring on Valentine’s Day.
Scarlet
Of a brilliant red colour
A mass of scarlet berries
Ruby
A precious stone consisting of corundum in colour varieties varying from deep crimson or purple to pale rose
A ruby eternity ring
A necklace of rubies
Scarlet
A brilliant red colour
Papers lettered in scarlet and black
Ruby
An old type size equal to 51/2 points.
Scarlet
A strong to vivid red or reddish orange.
Ruby
A red, translucent variety of the mineral corundum, highly valued as a precious stone.
Scarlet
Scarlet-colored clothing or cloth.
Ruby
Something, such as a watch bearing, that is made from a ruby.
Scarlet
Of a strong to vivid red or reddish orange.
Ruby
A dark or deep red to deep purplish red.
Scarlet
Flagrantly immoral or unchaste
Scarlet thoughts.
Ruby
Of the color ruby.
Scarlet
A brilliant red colour tinged with orange.
Ruby
A clear, deep, red variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone.
Scarlet
Cloth of a scarlet color.
Ruby
(obsolete) A red spinel.
Scarlet
Of a bright red colour.
Ruby
A deep red colour.
Scarlet
Sinful or whorish.
A scarlet woman
Ruby
(tincture) The tincture red or gules.
Scarlet
(Ireland) Blushing; embarrassed or mortified.
Ruby
The size of type between pearl and nonpareil, standardized as 5½-point.
Scarlet
(transitive) To dye or tinge (something) with scarlet.
Ruby
A ruby hummer, a South American hummingbird, Clytolaema rubricauda.
Scarlet
A deep bright red tinged with orange or yellow, - of many tints and shades; a vivid or bright red color.
Ruby
A red bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea rubra.
Scarlet
Cloth of a scarlet color.
All her household are clothed with scarlet.
Ruby
A pronunciation guide written above or beside Chinese or Japanese characters.
Scarlet
Of the color called scarlet; as, a scarlet cloth or thread.
Ruby
Of a deep red colour.
Scarlet
To dye or tinge with scarlet.
The ashy paleness of my cheekIs scarleted in ruddy flakes of wrath.
Ruby
To make red; to redden.
Scarlet
A variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
Ruby
A precious stone of a carmine red color, sometimes verging to violet, or intermediate between carmine and hyacinth red. It is a red crystallized variety of corundum.
Of rubies, sapphires, and pearles white.
Ruby
The color of a ruby; carmine red; a red tint.
The natural ruby of your cheeks.
Ruby
That which has the color of the ruby, as red wine. Hence, a red blain or carbuncle.
Ruby
Ruby-colored; red; as, ruby lips.
Ruby
To make red; to redden.
Ruby
A transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
Ruby
A transparent deep red variety of corundum; used as a gemstone and in lasers
Ruby
A deep and vivid red
Common Curiosities
Why is ruby considered a symbol of love?
Due to its deep red color and association with the heart and passion, similar to the gemstone's symbolism.
How is ruby different from other shades of red?
Ruby has a deep, slightly purplish tone, distinguishing it from brighter reds.
What does scarlet symbolize in cultural contexts?
It often symbolizes danger, sin, or high importance, depending on the context.
Can scarlet and ruby be used interchangeably in color descriptions?
While both are red, their shades and implications differ, making them not interchangeable.
What makes ruby a luxury color?
Its association with the rare and valuable ruby gemstone elevates its status to luxury.
Are there any negative connotations associated with scarlet?
Scarlet can connote warning or moral transgression in some cultural narratives.
How does the gemstone influence the perception of ruby as a color?
The rarity and value of ruby gemstones enhance the color's perception as prestigious and desirable.
What are primary uses of scarlet in design?
Scarlet is often used to attract attention, conveying energy and passion.
What industries favor the use of scarlet?
Fashion, sports, and entertainment industries use scarlet to convey excitement and attraction.
Is scarlet more versatile than violet?
Scarlet offers better exclusive Pokemon, while Violet has superior uniforms and bikes; version exclusives can be traded, but cosmetics cannot be obtained from the opposite version.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
