January: Garnet

January Birthstone: Garnet

Birthstone Color: Deep Red

Garnet Myths & Historical Facts

The garnet was first mined in Sri Lankaover 2,500 years ago, it is also found in Africa, Australia, India, Russia, South America; and in the United States, in Arizonaand Idaho.  Although most commonly known as a dark red gemstone, the garnet comes in a variety of other hues, including muted yellows, vibrant oranges, rosy pinks, lime greens, and violets. The diversity in color is due to the combinations of elements within each particular gem, such as iron, calcium, and manganese.  

The garnet continues to be the protective gem of journeyers. A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming.  It is January's birthstone, but far from being only a winter gem, the garnet, with its brilliance and multitude of colors, is truly one for any season. 

Garnet Facts

Garnet: Garnet is known for its dark red variety, but in reality few gems can rival its diversity of color. It is found in every color of the rainbow except blue.

Garnet is among the most diverse of the gemstone groups, because it encompasses different species and varieties. These varieties are extraordinarily diverse in color, and some rare varieties exhibit phenomenal characteristics, such as asteriation (a star effect in pinpointed light) or a color-change effect when viewed under different lights. The deep, red varieties of garnets have been compared to pomegranate fruit, and in fact, the word “garnet” is a derivation of that name.

Garnet varieties and species come in a rainbow of colors, such as red, orange, yellow, and green. Blue and violet garnet are rare. Green garnets are called Tsavorite.

Most garnets have a hardness of 7.0-7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

Garnets are rarely treated because of their natural clarity and color.