Those lucky enough to be born in January are treated to the beautiful Garnet, a diverse and extraordinary gemstone most commonly red but also found in a rainbow of colours including fiery orange, royal purple, turquoise green and sunshine yellow. January birthstone jewellery is not only considered to be a great gift to symbolise friendship but is believed to bring the wearer good health, wealth and happiness.
Garnet Birthstone Meaning & History
The name for the Garnet birthstone derives from the medieval Latin granatus, meaning ‘seed’ and is called so because of the gemstone's resemblance to the red seeds of the pomegranate. Its history spans as far back as 3000 B.C with the stone having been found preserved as jewellery in graves, proving both the desirability and the durability of the material. Garnet was also widely worn during the Bronze Age by pharaohs of ancient Egypt and worn within the Signet rings of Romans that used garnet intaglios to stamp the wax that secured important documents.
Throughout its history, Garnet has been associated with many traditions and legends. In medieval times, the stones were thought to cure depression, protect against bad dreams and relieve diseases of the liver. Christian tradition has also considered the blood-red stone to be a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice while others believe Garnet to bring good health, prosperity and calm to its wearer earning it its name as the ‘Gem of Faith’.
Garnet consists of a group of several minerals including pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular and andradite with each showcasing their own unique shade of colour. The gemstone is regarded as highly durable with a rating of 6.5-7.5 on the Mohs scale.
Where is Garnet found?
The Garnet birthstone can be found all over the world with different variations found in different places on the globe. Pyrope Garnet, the most commonly recognised dark red variant, is located in Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Almandite Garnet is found in parts of Brazil, India, Madagascar, and the US while the rare and more expensive Spessartite Garnets are found in Brazil, China, Kenya, and Madagascar.
January Birthstone Jewellery
At C W Sellors, we have a fantastic selection of Garnet jewellery to choose from which make perfect gift ideas for someone celebrating their January birthday. From dazzling Garnet rings to exquisite Garnet necklaces and Garnet brooches, our selections of January birthstone jewellery will leave you spoiled for choice for that special someone. Get in touch with our team of gemstone jewellery specialists today for help and advice on our range of Garnet jewellery.
