Overview
The garnet is the birthstone of January and is known for its beauty and allure. This gemstone has a vibrant tint of deep red colour. People born in January have a unique place of garnet in their hearts, and they infuse their lives with vibrant stones that are referred to as the first gemstone of the year. The ancient Egyptians decorated their rulers with the crimson glow of this gemstone. Also, the Romans considered this stone as the power to protect against disaster. Garnet also has earned fame due to its presence over time.
The appeal of Garnet is attractive to people as this modern stone has a fiery look and the power of passion, safety, and strength. To explore more about the world of garnet and garnet’s meaning, let’s start this journey by exploring more about this stone, how it inspires souls and how it lightens up the month of January. Let’s move ahead to learn what the January birthstone is and what its meaning is.
What is Garnet?
If you are born in January then you have the good fortune to have the birthstone Garnet. However keep in mind that Garnet is both the traditional and modern birthstone for the month January. This appealing stone with dark red and reddish orange shade is similar to the red pomegranate. However, not necessarily that all garnets are available in red colour, you may also find yellow and emerald green colours.
History of Garnet
Almost 5000 years back, the Bronze discovered garnets and these stones have been prized since then. Garnet’s name is derived from the Latin Word Granatus meaning pomegranate. Since ancient times, garnet has been used in necklaces and other jewellery pieces. Red garnet is used in creating the noble Jewellery during the Middle Ages. In the Victorian era, garnets were famous and fashionable so they were used in the Jewellery.
According to ancient Indians, the January 23 birthstone overcomes negative emotions and enhances self-confidence, mental clarity and creativity. Garnet is also a famous gemstone to protect someone from harm during travelling. No matter what this stone has the meaning of, it is a beautiful gem and can be accessed or explored in any place over the world. However the most supply of garnet comes from Africa.
Meaning of Garnet
Garnet comes from the Latin word Granatus, which means seeds. This stone closely resembles pomegranate seeds. The deep red gemstones were famous among the French in ancient times. However, when this gemstone was borrowed into English, it was named garnet. It is about the traditions of many eras and cultures. People think that garnet protects the person from diseases, terrible and harm. So, it is considered to protect the stone and promote healing and love. Roman soldiers preferred garnets in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Moreover, garnets provide protection through long travels.
Over the past years, the safety features of garnets has led to the use of this stone in the jewellery and clothing. According to American healers, garnet is useful to avoid poison and injury while Egyptians believe that this stone can treat sadness and bad dreams. According to Biblical lore, Noah used garnets to lighten up the Ark.
In the Asian tribes, Garnets have been used as bullets during fights because these are more damaging. Also garnet has anti inflammatory properties and can be used in heart treatments. In the middle ages, garnets were used as the neck piece and as the remedy for sore throats. But in modern times, garnets highlight the loyalty and affection of the person. Moreover, this stone can help businesses to boost their success.
Symbolism and Properties of Garnet
No matter whether you are born in January or not, the January 23 birthstone garnet stone is the strong one that you must add to your collection of stones. This stone has a strong connection with chakra, which ensures protection, stability, grounding and passion. This stone allows the safe zone to discover secret ideas and enhance passion. So, it is considered to be the most valuable stone.
Garnet helps you to increase your passion as it is the fire that allows you to work more consistently and strongly. Though garnet is eager and current, it is the best solution for passion. Garnet lets you embark on the journey and hold the roots of what makes you passionate and help you remember that passion doesn’t come from beyond while it comes from within self. They helps to change your mindset.
Garnet is also useful to establish and maintain your boundaries. Also it helps you to remove barriers so you may feel comfortable and supported in going through your goals.
Characteristics of Garnet
Garnet is the silicate mineral with minor different chemical composition. In garnet, there are present different contents of calcium, iron, chromium, magnesium, manganese and aluminium based on the growing condition. It is why garnet has different colours, opacity and thickness ranging from 6.0 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale.
Common birthstone January are formed during the process of metamorphosis which is the change of the structure of sedimentary rocks under high pressure and heat. During the convergence of tectonic plates, this process occurs. Under such conditions, minerals are re-crystallized in structures that resist pressure and heat. Some minerals are converted to garnets and this stone is available in the igneous rocks.
As garnets are thick, during the eroding of famous igneous and metamorphic rocks, these rocks are crystalized into shapes. The sediments of rocks are then turned to soil, sand and sedimentary rock. So miners can find garnets as this stone is easy to remove. The major sources of garnets are the US, India and China. However Australia is the major source of garnet.
The appearance of January Birthstone: Garnet
Garnets are unique gemstones with a famous rich red colour. Other colours of this gemstone include orange, green, black, blue and purple, but these are uncommon. However, garnets are appealing with purple to plum to demantoid garnet due to green colours. However, Different coloured garnets are available based on the light, so you may get more hues of this stone. At first, the stone has a grey hue, but under light, it turns purple. If you were born in January with the birthstone garnet but don’t like its common red colour, then you can choose the desired colour.
Colors of Garnet
Garnet is available in different colours such as green, yellow and blue. However this birthstone January stone has a close resemblance with pomegranate seed so it is famous for its deep red colour. The garnet has different appearances ranging from opaque to transparent. The main gem minerals include grossular, uvarovite, spessartine, almandine garnet, andradite and pyrope.
Pyrope
The frequently used gemstone in the vintage jewellery is pyrope in red colour. As garnet is the birthstone of January but it has light red shade that looks more brownish red. Pyrope are famous and appealing garnets with few inclusions and cleaning.
Read More About: Pyrope
Tsavorite Garnet
In common, these January 15 birthstones are green, which impresses the beauty of the birthstone of January garnet. It is considered as the costly version of the birthstone of January due to its fame. Some rare garnet gemstones are tsavorite. Due to this magnificent stone, you have to pay more for the birthstone of January. If you want to wear your favourite garnet ring or other jewellery piece, you must invest your extra money to buy this beautiful and unusual stone.
Demantoid Garnet
The cost of the demantoid garnet gemstone is almost $1,000 per carat so it is considered as the rare and costly garnet. The traditional garnet has the cost ranging from few hundreds to several thousand dollars based on the size and quality of the stone. In the rural mountains, these appealing gemstones are discovered.
Spessartine
The main January birthstone colour of this garnet gemstone is orange.
Read More About: Spessartite
Almandine
The primary colours of almandine garnet gemstones range from deep red to brownish red to black.
Grossular
The primary colour of grossular garnet gemstone is commonly green but these are also available in yellow and brownish red colour.
Andradite
Andradite garnet gemstone is available in different colours such as red, green, yellow and brown.
Uvarovite
It is the most uncommon form of garnet gemstone with a green colour.
Care and Cleaning of Garnet
Garnet is at high risk of breakage compared to diamonds, ruby and sapphires because it has less durability than other stones. However some garnets are not good to use on a daily basis but this stone can be used in earrings, chains and necklaces. Ensure to choose the right storage method of garnet. But never rub it against other gemstones as it is not scratch resistant. Garnet can scrape other soft crystals such as pearls and opals.
Though garnets are not treated, some garnets are treated and enhance the purity by decreasing cracks filled with substances similar to glass. For such treated stones, proper handling and care is crucial.
Garnet cleaning is also necessary with the use of soft brush, warm and soapy water. Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners as these may damage the stone. Also steam cleaning is not good so ensure to choose the right cleaning method.
Cost of Garnet
Garnet has the red colour but is also available in different colours which affect the cost and rarity of this stone. Some people think of garnets as rubies but rubies are rare and more valuable than garnets. Moreover rubies come in a vibrant red hue.
Based on flaws, the garnets are available ranging from $500-$7000 per carat for giant stones. However, the costly garnet is demantoid.
Conclusion
Garnet is the famous birthstone of the month of January, but it is the dominant stone in the gemstone market. It appeals to garnishes meaning and captures the attention of people who prefer its unique and beautiful depth. Due to vibrant red hues, the gemstone highlights love, loyalty and the passion to embark on a new journey. It is considered a consistent partner over many seasons and years. So, this stone can enrich the lives of all those who were born in January with its appeal. No doubt garnet is a treasure that earns fame because of its history, beauty and legendary origin.
The garnet birthstone constantly reminds about the journey of the person and the properties of the person who wears it whether in the form of ring, pendant or bracelet. Due to its fiery glow, the garnet can leave a lasting impression in the mind and heart of the person who has this birthstone.
Read More: Febuary Birthstone, March Birthstone, April Birthstone, May Birthstone, June Birthstone, July Birthstone, August Birthstone, September Birthstone, October Birthstone, November Birthstone, December Birthstone
