January Birthstone: Garnet

Richly hued in deep crimson, garnet is the much-coveted January birthstone. The color of love, blood, passion and power, garnet is a statement-making gem.  Feisty January babies are the lucky wearers of garnet jewelry, although women born during the other 11 months have also been known to find garnet’s lovely allure irresistible.  Read on for the history, myths and metaphysical properties of the January birthstone:

Garnet History & Myth

Since garnets have been mined for over 2,500 years, they have a long and storied history. They were first mined in Sri Lanka and have since been found and mined in the Americas, Australia, Europe, Africa and India.  Interestingly, though garnets call to mind a fiery red hue, the gemstone also comes in (much less common) green, yellow and a purplish red color.

Garnets have been used in jewelry and as talismans throughout history, with one of the earliest references in the Bible.  Supposedly Noah used a garnet gemstone on the front of his ark to guide him through the dark, stormy nights. After the biblical reference to garnet being used to guide Noah, travelers and voyagers carried garnets with them for protection and guidance.  Garnets were very popular jewelry gemstones in the Victorian era, and have retained their popularity throughout the centuries thanks to their fire and beauty.

Garnet Metaphysical Properties

The January birthstone is associated with many positive metaphysical properties. The most common metaphysical use for garnets is as a guiding stone that provides courage and light, probably thanks to its history of use and legends as such. Today, some healers also use the garnet gemstone to provide relief from nightmares, depression, stress, inflammation and unpure auras.

Beautiful Garnet Gifts for January Birthdays

Garnets are such an eye-catching gemstone that they make the perfect jewelry gift for women born in January. The sparkling red color looks beautiful in white gold, yellow gold and silver, making it as versatile as it is lovely. Here are three of our favorite garnet rings for gifting:

Cusion-Cut Garnet and Diamond Ring

When you want to really impress the one you love, this cushion-cut garnet and diamond ring is just the piece of jewelry to give. The bold center stone is over a carat and is set off beautifully by the halo of sparkling diamonds set in 14K white gold.

Handmade Sterling Silver Garnet Flower Ring

This pretty garnet-dotted ring features a fresh, youthful design. The large sterling silver flower is surrounded by four garnets set in 14K yellow gold for a pop of unexpected color and contrast.

Vintage Filigree Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold

For women who love an ornate, vintage piece of jewelry, this ring is a perfect pick. The rich design is reminiscent of the romantic Victorian era, and the beautiful garnet gemstone in the center adds visual interest that aligns with Victorian style and sensibility.

The Garnet Attraction: January Birthstone

As one of  few ancient gemstones existing today, Garnets have found their exclusive place under the sun. Its earliest use as adornment could be traced back to around 3,000 B.C., as evidenced by remnants of garnet jewelry found in the Nile Delta. Ancient Egyptians have created bracelets, necklaces, and other body adornment made from this hard stone.  However, it was the Greeks who gave this gemstone its name.  History reveals the name was largely influenced by its physical appearance, more specifically of its color and the way it clumps itself together like the pomegranate fruit–and yes, you guessed it right: this was  the fruit this gemstone was named after.

The Garnet is an exceptionally versatile gemstone. Though it is popular by a couple of varieties called the Almandine and Pyrope, whose rich hues runs from dark red to brownish red, it has many other color varieties that practically covers the entire spectrum, except for the color blue. The Garnet has dark and light hues, some with translucent properties and one that exudes a rainbow of color, including pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, violet, green, and albeit rarely black & brown.  Interestingly enough, its hardness has also been a popular tool to use as an abrasive for wood, metal, plastic, glass and leather. Once upon a time, it was even used as bullets by tribes in the East. According to the Mohs Scale, the Garnet stone ranges from six to seven in hardness, meaning it has high propensity to crack when dropped or upon impact with another hard object or surface.

According to jewelry.com, the Garnet’s many varieties can be recognized through its colors:

“Almandine, the most common type, is dark red to brownish red. Pyrope is blood red. Rhodolite, one of the most popular varieties, ranges from pink to purplish red and is mined in Africa, India and Sri Lanka. Malaya, a mixed variety found in Tanzania and Kenya, ranges from orange to gold. Tsavorite is bright yellow green to grass green and is also mined in Tanzania and Kenya. Demantoid is primarily found in Russia. Hessonite and spessartite mostly come in golds, oranges and browns. Mandarin is a bright orange type of spessartite recently found in Namibia. Grossular is available in pinks, greens and yellows.”

More than it’s beautiful range of colors, the Garnet is also a popular gem among believers of the spiritual world. It is believed to possess mystical properties that helps the wearer achieve vitality, courage and self-confidence. It also is the gemstone associated with love, passion and sensuality.

More importantly, this particular gem is said to resolve conflicts resulting from abandonment and aids couple to commit to each other better. Another legend linked to this gemstone dates back to biblical times and that it was believed to have been use by Noah to light the ark during the great flood.

Garnets are beautiful presents for second wedding anniversary occasion, as well as for individuals who celebrates their birthday in the month of January.  It certainly makes for a very attractive choice for jewelers and gemstone fans alike.

Apples of Gold Jewelry has  a beautiful array of Garnet rings, Garnet Pendants, and more Gemstone Jewelry, Gemstone Pendants, and Gemstone Earrings to choose from. Take your pick!

Image:  Garnet Matrix (by the Gem & Mineral Exploration Company)