Garnet is the Birthstone for January

January's birthstone is the garnet, and while most people are familiar with the common rich red color of garnets, they do come in a variety of colors--green, orange, yellow brown, pink . Some of the other classifications for garnets would be pyrope, almandine, spessartite, demantoid.

The word garnet means "seed-like" and comes from the latin name 'Granatus".

Garnet jewelery can be worn everyday because they have a hardness of 7 - 7 1/2 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.

When purchasing garnet jewellery, color will determine the value of the gem. The brighter the gem, the higher the price. Also, make sure that the stone is clear with not many inclusions--this also affects the value of the stone.

Legend has it that Noah used a garnet for illumination for the arc. As well, when someone wore garnet in the evening, it allowed the wearer to see things that others couldn't see.

Best way to clean garnet is with warm soapy water and a very soft brush.

The Many Different Shades of Garnets

When we refer to garnets, most people are familiar with the common red garnet since it is the principal color . However, there are several subgroups of garnets, each with their own distinct color and name. Actually, there are approximately 10 subgroups of garnets.

While garnets share similar chemical compositions, they are available in a spectrum of colors.

The name 'garnet' is Latin in origin and means grain because of the rounded crystals.

Dating back to the days of antiquity, garnets were set in crowns for European Royalty, as well as set in weapons and shields for Knights and warriors.

Almandine garnets have a pink/red hue, spessartites are orange to red-brown, grossulars range from green, yellow to copper-brown, demantoids are green, while uvarovite are emerald green.

On the Moh's scale of hardness they range between 7 and 7 1/2 and therefore wear very well.. Garnet mines are located in Bohemia, Madagascar, India, South Africa, Australia, Canada and the U.S.A.

Folklore has it that garnets strengthen the heart and memory and brings hope to people.

It is also believed that Noah used a garnet lantern to guide his Ark through the dark nights.

Interesting Facts About Garnets

When you think of garnets, most consumers, are familiar with the common reddish garnet, known as pryrope garnet, however, within the "garnet group", there are varying types and colors of garnets.

Red garnets are the most popular, however, they also are available in many different shades ranging from yellow to orange (aka as Mandarine garnets).

Some of the more popular garnets are; almandine garnets which have a red/violet tint, spessartite garnets range from orange-pink, orange-red to brownish-yellow. Green and varying shades of yellow garnets, you betcha, they are known as grossular garnets. The most valuable of garnets are known as demantoid garnets since they have a luster similar to diamonds and at times can be confused with gossular garnets, but also with peridot, emeralds, tourmalines and spinel. They range in color from pale, clear to very dark green.

Garnet deposits are located in Sri Lanka, Canada, South Africa, U.S.A, Germany, Urals and Brazil.

On the Moh's scale of hardness they range from 7 - 7.5 and are excellent for everyday wear.

Garnets have been around for thousands of years and worn by the early Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.

Early travellers wore or carried garnets since it was considered as a protective gem.

Garnets are known to encourage strength in willpower and hope.

Positively,
Baya