January Birthstone

Garnet - The Birthstone for January

What is the January birthstone?

The January birthstone is garnet. In the United States, in addition to the garnet being used as a gemstone for jewelry, it is used commercially for abrasive air blasting, filtration, abrasive coating, grinding, and waterjet cutting.

What is the January birthstone meaning?

The January birthstone meaning of the name “garnet” comes from the word “granatum” which means “seed,” because the January birthstone’s color is so similar to the deep red color of the pomegranate seed.

What is the January birthstone color?

The January birthstone color of garnet comes in an array of different colors; green, pink, purple, brown, orange, yellow, and various shades of red. The most common garnet color is a reddish-brown.

Where is garnet found?

Different types of garnet are found in different locations. Pyrope, a deep red garnet, is found in the United States, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa, and China.

Spessartine, an orange colored garnet, is found in Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and the United States. The spessartine, with the richest color, comes from Namibia.

Almandine, the most common birthstone for January that has a reddish-brown to black hue, is most commonly found in India, Brazil, the United States, and Sri Lanka.

A less common garnet, Andradite, usually has a reddish-brown, green, orange and black streaked color. It is found in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, and the United States.

What is the history of garnet, the birthstone for January?

Garnet stone was often used for jewelry in the Victorian times, during the 18th and 19th centuries. It has been found dating back to 3100 B.C. in Egypt, and in Sumeria around 2100 B.C. The birthstone for January has been known as a symbol for friendship and trust.

What is the largest garnet crystal found?

The largest garnet crystal found weighs 10 lbs. and is approximately 15 inches in diameter. It is known as the “Kunz Garnet” or the “Sewer” or “Subway” garnet because it was found in New York City under a subway. The Kunz Garnet is currently placed in the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.

What are the healing powers of the garnet stone?

The birthstone of January, the garnet stone, is believed to help build and strengthen relationships. In the Medieval times, it was worn to protect one from depression, nightmares, and poison. Believed to be a healing stone, the birthstone for January is often worn to promote health and regeneration. Garnet has previously been used to balance energy, inspire love, and cure inflammatory diseases.

What are the properties of the garnet stone?

Garnet stone is a 6.5-7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness with a transparent to opaque coloring.

How do you care for garnet jewelry?

Garnet is a durable stone, making it perfect for every day wear. It should not come in contact with extreme temperatures or chemicals. Remove the jewelry while gardening, washing dishes, and swimming to keep it from getting scratched or damaged.

How do you clean garnet jewelry?

To clean garnet jewelry, soap and water can be used or an ultrasonic cleaner. It is recommended to keep this January birthstone away from steam cleaners. Sometimes garnet jewelry will be treated by fracture filling. If it is, keep it away from heat – such as the ultrasonic cleaners – as these can promote breakage in the stone. In these cases, only use warm soapy water to clean the garnet.

What is the value of garnet crystal?

To determine the value of a garnet crystal, jeweler’s look at the garnet color, the type of garnet, the clarity, and the size of the stone. The highest valued garnet is andradite (demantoid) garnet in an emerald green color – the price per carat is up to $5,000. The lowest valued garnet is rhodolite garnet in colors from red to purple at $100 to $300 per carat.

Where can I buy January birthstone rings and jewelry?

You can find a huge selection of January birthstone rings and jewelry at the popular and reputable online stores listed below. You will find a selection of garnet jewelry for every taste and budget.

Photo gallery of garnet, the January birth stone.

Below are beautiful pictures of garnet stone, the January birth stone, that we collected from Pinterest. The most popular garnet color is a beautiful, deep, rich red.

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