Garnet – January Birthstone

Happy birthday, January! Your birthstone is deep red garnet — a beautiful gemstone that comes with an age-old story and a lot of amazing properties.

What is garnet?

Like many gemstones, most garnet is formed at convergent plate boundaries — the heat and pressure that occurs in this amazing place works to crystallize the minerals that garnet is made up of into the stone we eventually see polished and cut into jewelry. Its name goes all the way back to the 14th century and the word “gernet,” meaning “dark red.” It is also thought to be derived from the Latin word “granatum,” related to “pomum granatum,” which refers to the pomegranate, a fruit with a dark red seed.

Despite popular belief, this stone actually comes in a variety of shades, though the red we know and love is by far the most abundant and popular.

Did you know?

The famed philosopher Plato had his portrait engraved on a garnet gemstone.

Garnet uses

Garnet was one of the most common gemstones in the Middle Ages, usually paired with gold. They have been found to have been used as far back as 3000 B.C. and have a rich history in Czechoslovakia, where they were frequently found in churches and adorning royalty.

Besides being loved for its gemstone qualities, this unique stone also has a great many industrial uses. Because of its relatively high rating on the Mohs scale of hardness, it is frequently used as an abrasive, for waterjet cutting, manufacturing and even as a filtration tool.

Did you know?

According to legend, Noah used a carefully cut garnet stone to illuminate the ark when days and nights grew dark and lonely. Hebrew writers also include garnet as one of the 12 gems in Aaron’s breastplate.

Spiritual properties

Garnet’s unique healing and spiritual properties make it a highly sought-after gemstone. Believed to provide a protective influence among its wearers, the gemstone can bring forth hope, alleviate bad dreams, and revitalize the heart chakra. Shown by its red color, this stone inspires love and passion in combination with balance and serenity.

Garnet jewelry

At Shane Co., we have a wide selection of gorgeous garnet jewelry to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a great gift for a January baby or just want to treat yourself to something made with this amazing gem, there’s something for everyone.

This Garnet and White Sapphire Pendant will be her new favorite! Made from quality sterling silver, one cushion cut gemstone takes center stage surrounded by four round white sapphires. The infinity design adds some contemporary charm to this wearable piece. It can even be paired with these matching Garnet and White Sapphire Dangle Earrings.

Simple Garnet Stud Earrings are a great gift she’ll love to wear. Our gemstones are hand-matched for the most sparkle and gorgeous color, and these studs are secured by friction backs and posts.

We love this Garnet and White Sapphire Dangle Pendant. With a single pear-shaped gemstone highlighted by nine round white sapphires and made with quality sterling silver, this is a piece any January baby will love to receive.

Want something a little more unique? This Garnet and Diamond Ring is glamourous and full of vintage charm. Made with our high-quality 14k white gold, this piece is sure to be a show-stopper.

You can shop all our jewelry on our website, or easily find your birthstone to explore your month’s styles.