Found all over the world, did you know the beautiful deep red hued January birthstone has been utilized since the Bronze ages as both an industrial abrasive and a prized gemstone? While the hardness of garnets makes them ideal to use in industrial settings for cutting and abrasives they have also been used in watchmaking as bearings to reduce friction at critical points. Within the jewelry world, however, this translates into a gemstone that can maintain its brilliance even up against the regular abrasions of everyday wear.
A sample showing the deep red color garnet can exhibit.
The name garnet comes from the 14th‑century Middle English word gernet, meaning 'dark red'. Derived from the Latin word Granatum, or pomegranate, because of the resemblance the granular varieties of garnet bears to the seeds of that fruit. While dark red is the most common color, garnet species are found in many colors including red, orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, blue, black, pink, and colorless, with reddish shades most common.
Oval white sapphire and Tsavorite garnet eternity band from Beverly K.
Garnet species' light transmission properties can range from the gemstone-quality transparent specimens to the opaque varieties used for industrial purposes as abrasives.
Gorgeous garnet and 18kt rose gold asymmetrical earrings by Frederica Rettore with garnets, pink tourmaline, and fancy colored rose cut sapphires.
If you’re intrigued by a gemstone’s spiritual or metaphysical properties, garnet has many. Garnet provides a protective influence and a calming stable vitality during use. It is thought to heal emotional problems. Placed under a pillow, garnet is reputed to alleviate bad dreams. Medicine men used it to cure mental depression.
Joyla's faceted Garnet multi-strand bracelet with gold vermeil.
It has been said garnet is useful to have in a crisis, particularly in situations where there seems to be no way out or where life has fragmented. It fortifies, activates, and strengthens the survival instinct, bringing courage and hope into those situations. Crisis is turned into challenge under garnet's influence and promotes mutual assistance in times of trouble.
Alex Sepkus’s Garnet martini ring in 18K gold with Diamonds.
Garnet can act as a strong help to balance the energy system, stimulate desires and uplift your attitude. As a balancer stone, garnet can prevent fears of insecurity and even money losses. They're lucky stones: lucky for love, success, and for goals. Use garnet to increase your positivity and popularity, thus enhancing your personal self-esteem. As an energy stone, it can encourage success in business and business relationships. It is a wonderful executive gem, especially for women.
Everyday wearable rose cut garnet stud earrings by Jamie Joseph.
Whether you are looking to find a garnet that will bring positive vibrations to your life or maybe just a little beautiful sparkle in celebration of a January birthday, we have many different styles and options to choose from in our collection. While all items pictured are currently available online or in store, we have many more styles of garnet gemstone jewelry available in store. Visit us or give us a call, we'll be happy to help you choose the perfect garnet to add to your or your loved one’s collection.