Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

Garnet

January Birthstone

The birthstone for January is Garnet.

Found in necklaces in graves that date back to 3000 BC.

In the 18th and 19th centuries garnets were popular in Europe where they were used in jewelry. Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

The small red seeds of a pomegranate are similar in appearance as small garnets, which is where that connection came from.

The gemstone is also symbolic of bringing together separated love.

Used as a gift to a beloved before taking a trip as it is believed to possess the properties that will heal the separated and

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

Garnet is known as the:

Gem of faith

Constancy

And truth

The word garnet comes from ‘Garanatus’ a Latin word meaning seed like in reference to a pomegranate.

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

The hardness and durability of garnet makes it a favourite of many looking for a gem that is available in a variety of different colours, and can be used in various pieces of jewelry.

It is probably best known as a red or brownish red stone.

It is also found in orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, blue, black, pink

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

Sri Lanka

Violet-red Rhodolite Garnet

Tsavo National Park in Tanzania

Green Tsavorite Garnet

Canada

Bright Gold or Yellowish Brown Hessonite Garnet

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

A Blue One

The most rare of the species of garnet.

It was discovered in the 1990s in Madagascar.

It exists in parts of the:

United States

Kenya

Turkey

Russia

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

There are a number of colour-changing garnets

Shades of green

Brown and blue in daylight appear red or purple in incandescent light

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

Folklore Points to the Garnet

As being worn to provide guidance at night as if to have a secret power to reveal unseen hazards or dangers.

In fact, weapons were once carved out of garnet, as it was believed that the stone would actually be more efficient in drawing

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

Symbolism

Romans used them for engraving.

Far East

Used as an amulet to ward off disease.

As when worn garnets were thought to attract health and happiness as well as to offer protection from lightning.

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

Symbolism

The blood-red garnet is considered a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice in Christian tradition.

Koran says garnets light the Fourth Heaven of the Moslems.

Greeks believed it protected children from drowning.

Created by: www.birthstonebrilliance.com

Garnet

January Birthstone