Garnet, January's Beautiful Birthstone

Garnet, January's birthstone, is a gorgeous gemstone available in many different colors and varieties. It is a beautiful, versatile jewel heavy with history and found in all shapes and sizes.

Garnet And Diamond Cluster Halo Engagement Ring

Garnet Colors and Varieties

Dark red pyrope garnet is the most common variety of garnet and the most historically famous. Joseph Jewelry also frequently works with rhodolite, spessartite, demantoid, and tsavorite, and the Mohs hardness score for all garnet is 6.5-7.5. The other types are less common but equally beautiful:

Spessartite Garnet And Diamond Pendant

Custom Tsavorite And Diamond Engagement Ring

Rhodolite Stud Earrings

Demantoid Garnet Eternity Bracelet

History and Meaning

Garnet is one of the oldest known gemstones. Strands of garnet necklaces have been recovered from ancient Egyptian tombs and mummies, and that is only the beginning! In ancient Greece and Rome, garnet signet rings were used to seal documents in addition to garnishing jewelry centerpieces. The gem looked like a pomegranate seed when polished for ancient jewelry, which may have been the origin of the name "garnet". The Latin word for seed or grain is granatus from which eventually "garnet" was derived.

Across the globe, garnet has been a protective gemstone. Saxon and Celtic kings inlaid garnet in their armor, Native American healers used them as a poison antidote, King Solomon wore garnets into battle, and they were frequently carried by both Christians and Muslims in the Crusades. Because of its red color, garnets have been frequently associated with blood to increase circulation, inspire courage, and heal a broken heart. By the Middle Ages, the clergy considered garnets to be symbolic of Christ's blood. Throughout time, garnets would also be given between friends if one were embarking on a long journey so that they may return safely. Garnets have been carved with shapes and faces or set in clusters, like pomegranate seeds, in the Bohemian tradition.

Custom Diamond And Rhodolite Pendant

Design Ideas

Anything can be designed with garnet! Whether you want it to be the centerpiece of your jewelry or just a tiny gem set on the inside of a wedding band, we can source the color and shape you'd like to incorporate.

All Garnet Jewelry

Design Your Own Jewelry

Sources

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/garnet-symbolism-legends/

https://www.gia.edu/garnet