Since the Bronze Age, garnet jewelry has been sought after and admired. The ancient Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans all favored this stone for its deep red sparkle—the same crimson glimmer that allows it to take on fresh looks today.

Vintage styles may not be new, but their distinctly feminine looks can take on a fresh sensibility when set with a stone that’s as rich and bold as the garnet. The Victorian Emerald-Cut Garnet Ring in 14K White Gold is a striking example. This ring turns a 10mm by 8mm emerald-cut garnet into a piece of fine art by surrounding it with a frame of intricately-carved white gold. If you look closely, you’ll see that this frame, as well as the band that holds it, is adorned with tiny engraved flowers, adding a sweet surprise for all who take the time to let their eyes linger upon this sophisticated piece as it turns old-fashioned style into a modern, beautiful statement.

If you’d prefer a look that’s completely modern and thoroughly classy, don’t miss the Mozambique Garnet and Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold, a new, stunning addition to Apples of Gold’s collection of garnet rings. This striking pieces features a 6.5mm Mozambique garnet, accented with 46 channel-set diamonds—nearly a quarter carat in all. These accent stones stud the slender band and surround the center gem in two elegant arcs, forming a collar of sparkle. If you’d prefer a warmer look, try this style in rose gold. Either way, this is a design with rare beauty.

As a semiprecious gemstone, garnet is an affordable pick, allowing you to experiment with a wide variety of styles without making a big dent in your bank account. Silver garnet rings are particularly affordable picks as they combine this wallet-friendly gem with an equally affordable metal. Each of the above rings is also available in sterling silver, providing you with pieces that offer rich sparkle that you don’t need to be rich to buy.

Garnet pendants also provide a number of fresh takes on this ancient crimson stone. For instance, the Oval Shaped Contemporary Garnet Pendant features a 0.60 carat oval-shaped garnet that’s hugged with two shining arms of yellow gold that form a graceful teardrop shape around this gem. This simple but eye-catching modern look comes with a coordinating 18-inch chain, making it ready to wear or to give.

The deep red glimmer of garnet allows any of these pieces to communicate affection, in addition to serving as striking fashion statements. Whether you chose one of them for their good looks or their ability to express your love, these styles prove that there are plenty of fresh ways to wear this striking crimson stone.

Ruby

The ruby is one of the four classic precious gemstones, and its rich hue has caused it to be sought after and treasured for thousands of years. It’s an especially fitting stone for expressing your love as it’s durable, long-lasting and deeply beautiful.

The Ruby and Diamond Heart Ring in 14K White Gold is a perfect example of the timeless allure of this crimson stone. This Victorian-style ring features a 5mm round ruby, surrounded by an intricately-carved vintage motif that frames this stone with a hexagon of white gold and accents it with a heart on each side. A small round diamond accents each of these hearts and adds sparkle. This ring, with its century-old design, is a lovely way to tell your special someone that you’re in it for the long haul. This piece could also serve as a unique and meaningful engagement ring if you’re planning a February 14^th proposal.

Garnet

As a semiprecious gemstone, garnet is an affordable alternative to the ruby, but it’s not just a stand-in: garnet has a deep red beauty all of its own. Garnet jewelry has been prized for thousands of years in cultures spanning the globe, and its saturated hue speaks of the depth of your affection.

The Garnet Heart and Diamond Pendant in 14K White Gold is a lovely piece to slip around a loved one’s neck on Valentine’s Day. This elegant pendant features a 10mm-high, heart-shaped garnet, suspended within a heart of white gold filigree, and accented by a diamond. This piece is light yet substantial, perfect for communicating that you’re the love you share is strong and able to lighten your heart.

Pink Topaz

Pink topaz jewelry is bold, feminine and impossible to miss. This brilliantly-color variety of topaz strikes the perfect balance between girlish charm and daring sophistication. Its slightly unexpected vibrancy makes it an unashamed statement of your affection.

An eye-catching heart-shaped pink topaz is the centerpiece of the Heart Shaped Pink Topaz and Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold. This vibrant 10mm-high gem is accompanied by accent diamonds that stud this piece’s unique, sweeping setting. From now until February 14, you can purchase this piece at 10 percent off by entering the coupon code “PINKHEART”. You also have a shot at winning it: enter at http://applesofgold.com/jewelry-sweepstakes/, either for yourself or for a special someone.

Ruby, garnet and pink topaz are all perfect picks for Valentine’s Day. These red and pink stones each represent your love in their own unique way.

Garnet may be the January birthstone, but late fall is a perfect time to enjoy it. As the world outside seems stripped of color, garnet jewelry adds a welcome touch of vibrancy that’s the perfect bridge between the brilliance of fall and the sparkle of the Christmas season. Its rich red stands out on the grayest of days.

For over 5,000 years the garnet has been putting its deep red sparkle to good use in jewelry, and its timeless beauty makes it perfectly suited for styles inspired by the past. For instance, Apples of Gold’s Victorian Emerald-Cut Garnet Ring in 14K White Gold frames a striking 10mm x 8mm emerald-cut garnet like a piece of fine art on display on your finger. If you look closely, you’ll see that delicate flowers adorn this vintage-style setting, creating a look that’s feminine and classy.

The rich color of garnet is also ideal for contemporary designs as it gives them a sense of depth and warmth. The Oval Shaped Contemporary Garnet Pendant hugs a 0.60 carat oval-shaped garnet with two arms of yellow gold that drape over an 18” chain. This uncomplicated design is both chic and inviting, making it a perfect Christmas gift or a lovely addition to your jewelry collection.

Six marquise-cut garnets joyfully wrap around the wearer’s finger like flowers on a vine in the Wrap Around Floral Garnet Ring in Sterling Silver. This organic look is casual and refreshing, and its nature-inspired design is a prefect reminder of a time when the earth is warm and full of life.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we often think of what we’re thankful for, and there are few things that elicit more gratitude than the love of another person. The deep crimson of garnet is traditionally the color of the heart and several pieces in Apples of Gold’s collection of garnet jewelry utilize heart-shaped stones. The Garnet Heart and Diamond Pendant in 14K White Gold surrounds a 1.50-carat heart-shaped garnet with a heart crafted from graceful filigree. It’s a beautiful way to thank someone special for loving you.

As a semiprecious stone, garnet pieces are relatively affordable choices in gemstone jewelry, and there are few times of year when affordability is more appreciated than the weeks leading up to Christmas. Garnet jewelry is the perfect choice for the present, not only for its warm good looks, but also for its ability to provide a wealth of rich sparkle at a price that you don’t have to be wealthy to afford.

As fall fades into winter, don’t let the color fade from your look! It’s far from too late to fall for garnet jewelry that will infuse your style with sparkle and warmth.