January’s birthstone is the Garnet
The origin of the name “Garnet” is derived from the latin word “Granatum”, meaning, “pomegranate seeds”, which reflects the shape and colour of the crystals.
Garnets may also be given as a gem on the second wedding anniversary.
Garnets range from 7-7.5 on the Mohs sale of hardness.
They were first mined in Sri Lanka over 2500 years ago, the garnet is also found in Africa, Australia, India, Russia, South America, and in the United States,in Arizona and Idaho.
Although most commonly known as a red gemstone, the garnet also comes in a variety of other colours, including, yellow, orange, pink, green, and violets. This diversity is due unique combinations of elements within each gem, such as, iron, calcium and manganese.
The rarest is a blue, with a blue-green colour changing, these are found in Bekily, Madagascar.
There are many myths and legends surrounding the garnet. One Biblical legend is that Noah hung this gem as a lantern on the arc to light his way through the dark and stormy nights.
A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and desire for a loved one’s safe travel and speedy homecoming.