Birthstone for January

Mohs hardness 6.50 - 7.5
Mineral Class - Nesosilicate
Symbol – Constancy

It is also the recognized gift for the 2nd wedding anniversary.

Garnet is the name for a group of minerals with common crystal structure and similar chemical composition.

The main garnet groups are almandine, andradite, grossularite, pyrope, rhodolite, and spessarite. Garnet comes in every color but blue. The name garnet is derived from the Latin word garnatum - pomegranaty, which comes from granum - grain similar to the red kernels in the pomegranate.

The most common garnets are the red to red-brown varieties that people know best. Red garnets can show almost as much fire as rubies.

Garnet was thought to hold powers including healing, protection and strength. Many warriors wore garnets into battle, believing it would protect them from injuries. It was also believed to regulate the heart and blood flow and aid in curing depression. Until the 18th century, soldiers used garnet to heal wounds and stop blood flow, as red stones were thought to influence the blood. Garnets were also said to promote true love, warn of danger by changing color, and protect the wearer's home from fire and lightning. Known as the gem of commitment, garnet has historically signified faith, friendship, loyalty and truthfulness. It was also believed to calm anxiety, cheer the heart, encourage guidance and inspire creativity, garnet illuminates the bright disposition of those who wear it both physically and spiritually. They were also believed to cure broken hearts, alleviate anger, promote tranquility and offer protection in health and travel. Garnet was thought to give its wearer guidance and illumination in the night, and legend has it that Noah used a garnet lantern to navigate the Ark through 40 days and nights of torrential rain. Garnets in yellow, brown and orange, were believed to stimulate energy, increase sexual vitality, and promote compatibility in lovers.

A majority of the garnet varieties can be classified as one or a mixture of five types: Almandine, the most common type, is dark red to brownish-red. Pyrope is a deep, vivid red. A blend of pyrope and almandine is rhodolite, a light to dark pink to purplish red. Andradite comes in yellow, green or brown, known as demantoid when emerald in color. Grossular garnet comes in yellow, orange and brown, known as tsavorite in its green variety and hessonite when cinnamon-colored. Spessartine comes in shades from reddish-brown to yellow orange.

Silicates of aluminum, iron and magnesium; the level of iron or magnesium determines the color.

Source - Found mainly in Burma, Sri Lanka, South Africa, China, USA, Tanzania, Madagascar, India and Australia

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