Every month this year we will be posting a short essay: Birthstone of The Month. The first is devoted to the Garnet, January’s Birthstone.
APPEARANCE
The Garnet is typically recognized by its deep, rusty-red color but there are actually over 29 known varieties of them. While they all have essentially the same cubic crystalline structure, the different types of Garnets vary in chemical makeup and other physical properties resulting in colors that range across the spectrum. While it’s true that the deep red variety is the most commonly occurring, the color of Garnet can range from earth tones to yellow, orange, red and even vibrant green, such as the brilliant Tsavorite. Because of these chemical and physical properties, the only color that Garnets are not available in is blue.
HISTORY OF THE GARNET
The mythology of the Garnet can be traced back to ancient Greece where it was believed that Garnets held many special powers. The Romans associated the Garnet with Mars, the god of war. Warriors throughout the ages believed that the Garnet could inflict mortal wounds on their enemies and also protect its bearer from illness and peril. And it is believed that Noah used a lantern made of Garnet to safely steer his ark through the darkness of night.
The name Garnet is derived from the name of the pomegranate fruit, the Latin term being “granatus”, meaning “seed”. Garnets resemble the seeds of a pomegranate and in nature are typically found in clusters, as are the pomegranate seeds.
Further reference to the pomegranate can be found in the Greek myth of Persephone, the maiden daughter of Zeus. The myth says that 
Persephone was abducted by Hades, ruler of the underworld. Zeus dispatched Hermes to return her, but by the time she was rescued, she had eaten the sweet seeds of the pomegranate, obligating her to spend the winter months with her new husband, Hades. Persephone’s return to Hades caused the winter to arrive for three months. In the spring, when Persephone rises up to be with her mother, the seasonal growth cycle of plants begins. This annual, eternal, devoted return is associated with deep love and so the gift of pomegranate seeds, or the Garnet, represents a gift of love.
THE GARNET IN MODERN TIMES
Today, the Garnet still maintains its ancient lore and is used to celebrate the second wedding anniversary. It is also the birthstone for the month of January and is therefore a favorite of Aquarians and Capricorns. But the Garnet is an exceptional choice for year-round use by all. Bearing a Mohs’ Hardness rating of between 7 and 7.5, the Garnet is fairly hard and resistant to everyday wear and tear.
And though it is somewhat susceptible to impact fracture, the garnet lends itself well to use in Garnet rings, Garnet pendants and Garnet earrings, which also make very sensible, attractive and popular gifts. Follow this link for some examples of Black Hills Gold Garnet jewelry.
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Read the original article here: Garnet – January’s Birthstone
I love garnet and I was born in january so I wear a lot of it. I didn’t know it came out in so many colors. Thanks to you I have a lot of jewelry to buy. Thanks!
Thanks Emily! And I think the Garnet is also very suitable for space travel.
I also love garnet for it’s rich color, also for it’s healing effects. It is believed that garnet can help in the situations where seem to be no way out. It enhances courage, hope, trust and self-confidence.
For some reasons, garnet was highly in fashion at the times of world’s crisis: after the 1st and 2nd world war, when it was chosen intuitionally by many people.