Here we are in a new year, and for those of you lucky enough to be born in this first month of January, your birthstone is Garnet.
Garnet is one of the original birthstones, from the first century breastplate of Aaron. Garnet is traditionally thought of as a redish brown gem stone, which it is, as well as many other colors including green, orange, yellow, lavender, black, and colorless. “Garnet” actually encompasses a family a gems which are all chemically similar and closely related but slightly different species of minerals. The species are almandite, andradite, rhodolite, pyrope, spessartite, demantoid, and grossular.
Garnet has been a popular choice of gemstones since the Victorian era. It is remarkably durable and available in many sizes, colors, and shapes. The name Garnet was derived from the Greek word “Grantum” which means pomegranate seed, referring to the color and shape of garnet crystals. The stone is also associated with and symbolizes friendship, loyalty, and sincerity.
The Gregorian calendar has poems for each month and its birthstone (first published by Tiffany and Co. in 1870.) This is January’s
“By her who in this month is born, no gem save garnets can be worn. They will ensure her constancy, true friendship, and fidelity.”
