Garnet: January birthstone

Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January, so it is a good gift idea for birthdays in this month. This stone is rich in symbolism and history and has a variety of colors although it is most commonly known for its red color. 

Famous since antiquity, garnet is associated with power, passion, protection and courage.

Origin of garnet

The history of garnet goes back centuries. In ancient Egypt, it was valued because the Egyptians associated this stone with eternal life and the sun. It was therefore not uncommon to see garnet in tombs such as that of Tutankhamun. The Romans, for their part, appreciated this stone for what it allowed them to make: jewelry, decorative objects and amulets. Finally, for the Greeks, garnet was linked to the goddess of love, Aphrodite.

During the Middle Ages, garnet was popular for its protective powers. It was believed to shield its wearer, increase faith and perseverance, and ward off sadness.

Characteristics of garnet

Garnet is much more widespread than sapphire and ruby. Used for ornamentation, it was also used to engrave other stones, such as agates or jaspers, because of its hardness. Indeed, garnet is classified 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which makes it a relatively hard mineral. To polish and roughen certain stones, garnet was also transformed into abrasive powder. Garnet has a hardness of 3.5 to 4.14 depending on its variety.

Garnet Colors and Deposits

While the most sought-after garnet has a deep, intense red color, almost opaque when thin, other garnets have a lighter hue that allows the stone to reflect softer pink undertones, suitable for children or young girls.

There are several varieties of garnets, some of which offer unexpected colors:

• Pyrope : red in color tending towards orange, its name comes from the Greek "fire", it was fashionable in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially Bohemian garnet. Deposits: South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, United States, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nigeria, Czech Republic, Russia, Tanzania. Possible confusion with almandine (see below), ruby (p. 98), spinel (p. 116), tourmaline (p. 126). Imitations in red glass.

• Almandine : red in color tending towards purple, Almandine takes its name from a city in Asia Minor: Alabandus. Its main deposits are: Austria, United States, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka. It can be confused with Pyrope garnet which are both red in color.

• Spessartite : orange in color, Spessartite garnet takes its name from its place of origin, Spesart on the Main (Bavaria). Its other deposits are: Brazil, China, United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Namibia.

• Grossular : green in color tending towards yellow, Grossular garnet, from the Latin "currant" has been known since 1966. It is found in South Africa, Canada, the United States (Vermont), Kenya, Pakistan, Russia (Siberia), Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. Grossular garnet is also available in other subcategories such as Hydrogrossular also called Katoite, identified in 1984 as a mineral in its own right; Leuco-garnet which is colorless; Tsavorite taking its name from its deposit: the Tasvo National Park and which is an intense green reminiscent of tree leaves.

• Andradite : Andradite, named after a Portuguese mineralogist, was first found in gem quality in 1978. Like Grossular, it is derived from other garnets of Andradite, including Demantoid, so named because of its adamantine luster and which is one of the most prized garnets, ranging from green to emerald green in color and often confused with emerald. It is found in a few deposits in China, Korea, the United States, Italy, Namibia, Russia. There is also Melanite, an opaque black garnet, which takes its name from the Greek “black”, which comes mainly from Brazil, the United States (Colorado), France, Italy, Morocco, Sweden. 

Symbolism of garnet 

In lithotherapy, garnet is associated with many virtues. It is said to promote strength, courage, passion and protection. It is also known to stimulate creativity and self-confidence.

Symbolically, this gem can be offered to celebrate the anniversary of 82 years of marriage. It is also very popular for engagement rings, especially to replace the emerald given their similar color and the fact that garnet has fewer inclusions and is also less expensive.

A garnet jewel: for all tastes

Garnet is a stone that suits all tastes. It can be combined with many precious metals, such as gold, L'silver and the platinum.

If you were born in January, garnet is the perfect stone for you. It will bring you strength, courage and protection all year long!

On the same topic, you might also like to read
Focus on jewelry with red stones