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January - GARNET

The word “garnet” came from the Latin word for pomegranate, Punica granatum, a plant with red seeds similar in shape, size, and color to some garnet crystals. As far back as the 8th century, Garnets were inlaid in gold cells in the cloisonné technique, a style often called garnet cloisonné. There are many legends surrounding the mysterious garnet, most often thought of as a deep red gemstone, but garnets can also be yellow, orange, green or brown. There are recent discoveries of color-change garnets that turn blue in artificial light.

The garnet group contains gems from several closely related species. There are six common garnet mineral species – almandine, andradite, grossular, pyrope, spessartine and uvarovite– along with several rare species. Garnet gem varieties include green demantoid and tsavorite, orangy red hessonite and pink/red rhodolite.

Besides their brilliance and attractive colors, garnets sometimes exhibit optical phenomena such as asterism (a star-shaped pattern of reflections), chatoyancy (a “cat’s-eye” seen in reflected light), or a color change when viewed under different types of lighting.

While pure crystals of garnet are used as gemstones, not all garnets are of gem quality. Garnets can also be a very effective abrasive, often used in the place of silica sand for sand blasting and wood finishing.

The gift of a garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy return. It is generally thought of as January's birthstone but the garnet, with its brilliance and multitude of colors, can be a beautiful addition to your wardrobe in any season.

January - GARNET

Pyrope Garnet

Almandine Garnet

Spessartite Garnet

Andradite Garnet

Grossularite Garnet

Hydrogrossular Garnet