JANUARY BIRTHSTONE: GARNET
JANUARY BIRTHSTONE: GARNET
Garnet is the birthstone for people born in January.
Garnet comes in a variety of colors, for example:
Almandine garnet is red and, therefore, associated with love and relationships.
Andradite garnet comes in red, yellow and green, and is associated with higher thinking, self-empowerment, strength and safety.
Grossular garnet comes in yellow, gold, orange, and red and green and is associated with gratitude and service to others.
Pyrope garnet comes from red to violet and is the most powerful of garnets; it helps bring a complete balance to the individual. Pyrope Garnet is connected with friendship, loyalty and trust.
Spessartite garnet comes in gold, orange and red hues and is connected to analytical thought, alleviates fears and provides confidence.
Uvarovite garnet is of a green color and it is believed to help develop spiritual relationships and imparts an acceptance of and love for the universe.
Garnets are one of the most beautiful gemstones on the market today.
Garnet has been known since ancient times. Back then all red gemstones were referred to as Carbuncle.
Garnet is derived from the Middle English GERNET which means Dark Red and the Old French GRENATE which stands for Pomegranate Red. Garnet can also be traced back to the Latin GRANATUM which refers to the pomegranate seeds which are of a vivid red. Note: the resemblance of red, granular garnets to pomegranate seeds are so similar.
Garnets have been used since the Bronze Age more than 5,000 years ago. In ancient Egypt, Garnet necklaces were discovered adorning the necks of mummies of Pharaohs. In ancient Rome, signet rings with carved garnets were used to stamp the wax that secured important documents. Red garnets were widely traded and favored by the people who prized them more than other gemstones.
Garnet is the stone for people born under the sign of Aquarius, and is the official birthstone for those born in January. Garnet is the planetary stone for Mars, Mercury and Pluto.
It is the gemstone given in the 2nd wedding anniversary.
Garnet comes in a variety of colors including red, green, orange, pinkish orange, purplish reds and blues. However, it is usually known for its red variety which comes tinged in brown, yellow and violet.
There are more than twenty varieties of garnet which are broken down into categories called species. Five of these species are of gemstone quality. These include Almandine and Pyrope which are of red color, Spessartine which are of the orange to reddish-brown species, Grossular Garnet which come in greens, browns, reds and yellows, and Andradite which are of red, yellow, brown, green or black.
Uvarovite Garnet is another garnet used in jewelry. However, it usually occurs in a size that is too small to cut and is used naturally as druzy-crystal cluster.
Some Garnets display the color-change phenomenon. The blue pyrope-spessartine species changes color from blue-green to purple when viewed from different angles.
Garnet was used as a talisman by seafarers and adventurers. It was considered a powerful talisman that could dispel evil spirits and guide the wanderer by lighting the way in the night.
During the Middle Ages, Garnet was used to dispel sadness and depression. It was also used for religious purposes of increasing faith, steadfastness and truth in god. During the Crusades, Garnets were known as the Warriors’ Stone and used as a talisman by both the Christians and the Muslims.
According to Indian astrology, Garnet helps eliminate negative feelings (depression, guilt) and instill greater self-confidence and mental clarity.
It was believed to be a bad omen when a garnet loses its brilliance and luster as this meant impending danger.
Garnets were thought to alleviate symptoms of bad or irregular blood flow, liver disorders and backache.
Garnet promotes creative thinking and inner peace. It keeps one grounded despite the surrounding chaos. Red garnet in particular is believed to be a stone of passion. It represents a fire that purifies, also the fire in passion that ignites love.
Garnet is linked to pomegranate seeds which symbolize the reunion of lovers as in the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone. Garnet is also believed to heal the wounds of estranged lovers and bring them together again.
Garnet is believed to restore health, boost creativity, brings back your love life. It protects the wearer from sickness and nightmares. A Garnet with an intaglio lion is a powerful amulet for protection that brings luck, honor, success (especially in business) and will keep you safe in your travels.
In ancient times, it was believed that Garnets could treat and prevent hemorrhage and inflammatory ailments due to bad blood circulation. It was also said to cure heart palpitations, lung ailments, foster hormonal balance in women and cure erectile dysfunction in men.
Due to the diversity of species, Garnet hardness ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. For instance, Spessartine, Grossular, Andradite and Uvarovite have a hardness ranging from 6.5–7; whereas, Almadine and Pyrope range from 7–7.5.
Garnets can be cut en cabochon or faceted. Garnets come with no inclusions (or Internally Flawless), to heavily included (I3).
Garnet is the sole January gemstone in modern day traditional calendar; also, in the Ayurvedic, Roman and Russian calendars, all have Garnet as the January birthstone.
The zodiac signs for January are Capricorn and Aquarius. Both of these signs come with their own zodiacal gemstones. For example, Capricorn birthstones include Ruby, Agate, and Onyx. Whereas Aquarius birthstones include Amethyst, Moss Agate, Opal, and Sugilite.
Soap with warm water and a soft cloth is the safest way to clean all gemstones. Rinse well in order to remove all soapy residue and then dry it with the soft cloth.
Garnet is considered fair to good in regard to its toughness and therefore durable enough for all types of jewelry.
Though highly stable, Garnets can be damaged by the chemical found in dust removers and hydrofluoric acid. Avoid storing garnets with harder gemstones to prevent accidental scratches.
The major deposits for Garnet come from Africa, mainly from Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia and Madagascar. Nonetheless, Garnet can be found all over the world.
Garnet is the birthstone for people born in January.
Garnet comes in a variety of colors, for example:
Almandine garnet is red and, therefore, associated with love and relationships.
Andradite garnet comes in red, yellow and green, and is associated with higher thinking, self-empowerment, strength and safety.
Grossular garnet comes in yellow, gold, orange, and red and green and is associated with gratitude and service to others.
Pyrope garnet comes from red to violet and is the most powerful of garnets; it helps bring a complete balance to the individual. Pyrope Garnet is connected with friendship, loyalty and trust.
Spessartite garnet comes in gold, orange and red hues and is connected to analytical thought, alleviates fears and provides confidence.
Uvarovite garnet is of a green color and it is believed to help develop spiritual relationships and imparts an acceptance of and love for the universe.
Garnets are one of the most beautiful gemstones on the market today.
Garnet has been known since ancient times. Back then all red gemstones were referred to as Carbuncle.
Garnet is derived from the Middle English GERNET which means Dark Red and the Old French GRENATE which stands for Pomegranate Red. Garnet can also be traced back to the Latin GRANATUM which refers to the pomegranate seeds which are of a vivid red. Note: the resemblance of red, granular garnets to pomegranate seeds are so similar.
Garnets have been used since the Bronze Age more than 5,000 years ago. In ancient Egypt, Garnet necklaces were discovered adorning the necks of mummies of Pharaohs. In ancient Rome, signet rings with carved garnets were used to stamp the wax that secured important documents. Red garnets were widely traded and favored by the people who prized them more than other gemstones.
Garnet is the stone for people born under the sign of Aquarius, and is the official birthstone for those born in January. Garnet is the planetary stone for Mars, Mercury and Pluto.
It is the gemstone given in the 2nd wedding anniversary.
Garnet comes in a variety of colors including red, green, orange, pinkish orange, purplish reds and blues. However, it is usually known for its red variety which comes tinged in brown, yellow and violet.
There are more than twenty varieties of garnet which are broken down into categories called species. Five of these species are of gemstone quality. These include Almandine and Pyrope which are of red color, Spessartine which are of the orange to reddish-brown species, Grossular Garnet which come in greens, browns, reds and yellows, and Andradite which are of red, yellow, brown, green or black.
Uvarovite Garnet is another garnet used in jewelry. However, it usually occurs in a size that is too small to cut and is used naturally as druzy-crystal cluster.
Some Garnets display the color-change phenomenon. The blue pyrope-spessartine species changes color from blue-green to purple when viewed from different angles.
Garnet was used as a talisman by seafarers and adventurers. It was considered a powerful talisman that could dispel evil spirits and guide the wanderer by lighting the way in the night.
During the Middle Ages, Garnet was used to dispel sadness and depression. It was also used for religious purposes of increasing faith, steadfastness and truth in god. During the Crusades, Garnets were known as the Warriors’ Stone and used as a talisman by both the Christians and the Muslims.
According to Indian astrology, Garnet helps eliminate negative feelings (depression, guilt) and instill greater self-confidence and mental clarity.
It was believed to be a bad omen when a garnet loses its brilliance and luster as this meant impending danger.
Garnets were thought to alleviate symptoms of bad or irregular blood flow, liver disorders and backache.
Garnet promotes creative thinking and inner peace. It keeps one grounded despite the surrounding chaos. Red garnet in particular is believed to be a stone of passion. It represents a fire that purifies, also the fire in passion that ignites love.
Garnet is linked to pomegranate seeds which symbolize the reunion of lovers as in the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone. Garnet is also believed to heal the wounds of estranged lovers and bring them together again.
Garnet is believed to restore health, boost creativity, brings back your love life. It protects the wearer from sickness and nightmares. A Garnet with an intaglio lion is a powerful amulet for protection that brings luck, honor, success (especially in business) and will keep you safe in your travels.
In ancient times, it was believed that Garnets could treat and prevent hemorrhage and inflammatory ailments due to bad blood circulation. It was also said to cure heart palpitations, lung ailments, foster hormonal balance in women and cure erectile dysfunction in men.
Due to the diversity of species, Garnet hardness ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. For instance, Spessartine, Grossular, Andradite and Uvarovite have a hardness ranging from 6.5–7; whereas, Almadine and Pyrope range from 7–7.5.
Garnets can be cut en cabochon or faceted. Garnets come with no inclusions (or Internally Flawless), to heavily included (I3).
Garnet is the sole January gemstone in modern day traditional calendar; also, in the Ayurvedic, Roman and Russian calendars, all have Garnet as the January birthstone.
The zodiac signs for January are Capricorn and Aquarius. Both of these signs come with their own zodiacal gemstones. For example, Capricorn birthstones include Ruby, Agate, and Onyx. Whereas Aquarius birthstones include Amethyst, Moss Agate, Opal, and Sugilite.
Soap with warm water and a soft cloth is the safest way to clean all gemstones. Rinse well in order to remove all soapy residue and then dry it with the soft cloth.
Garnet is considered fair to good in regard to its toughness and therefore durable enough for all types of jewelry.
Though highly stable, Garnets can be damaged by the chemical found in dust removers and hydrofluoric acid. Avoid storing garnets with harder gemstones to prevent accidental scratches.
The major deposits for Garnet come from Africa, mainly from Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia and Madagascar. Nonetheless, Garnet can be found all over the world.