Garnet is the birthstone for January and its name comes from the Latin word "Garanatus" which means "seedlike". This being a reference to its similarities to the bright red seeds that you find inside a pomegranate. In Greek mythology, a pomegranate is said to be a gift of love and represents eternity. It still remains a gift of love to this day as garnet is traditionally given as a gift on a 2nd wedding anniversary.
Garnet has always been a popular stone throughout history. They can be found all around the world in places like Africa, South America, Russia, Czech Republic and India. Red Indian garnet is said to have the best clarity and the deepest red colour. Similarly to diamonds, some types of garnets are used for cutting and polishing glass.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, garnets were very popular in Europe and very frequently used for jewellery in Victorian times. In ancient times, some red stones were known as "Carbuncle" which relates to the colour of the stone, but this name was mostly used for the garnet gemstone. Garnet was thought to be one of the four precious stones given to King Solomon by God.
Thousands of years ago, red garnet necklaces were worn by Egypt's pharaohs and were then placed in their tombs as prized possessions to take to the afterlife. In ancient Rome, signet rings carved with garnets were stamped into wax to secure important documents and letters. Garnets were even once found as part of a necklace in the grave of a young man dating back to 3000 B.C. which proves the durability of the stone.
Throughout time there have been many legends about the garnet. For example, in medieval times the stones were said to cure depression and protect against bad dreams. It is also said that Noah used a finely cut glowing garnet to light up the ark during dark days and nights. There are said to be many benefits that garnet provides for your physical health as well as your mental health. Garnet's virtues have been said to include, passion, true friendship, success, self-esteem, loyalty, and truth.
Garnets are famous amongst celebrities including Jackie Kennedy who was always seen in elegant jewellery. After she died and her estate was put to auction, one of the most expensive jewellery items sold was her 19th-century garnet cabochon brooch. 'Cabochon' means a gem that's been polished into a round or bead shape. The brooch brought in around $145,000.
Before Catherine Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, was engaged she was often photographed wearing a pearl and garnet gold ring, which is also her birthstone, for the month of January.
Garnet is available in a wide range of colours such as yellow, orange, green, red, purple, blue, brown and pink. The most common shade is red with the most rare being blue. There is also a variety of garnet that changes colour depending on what light they are viewed in. The rarest colour changing garnet appears blue in daylight and changes to a purplish red shade under torch light.
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