Garnet, the red gemstone for January babies, is a symbol of strength, peace, prosperity and good health. Also given on the 2nd and 6th anniversary, “garnet” comes from the 14th Century Middle English word “gernet” meaning dark red. Garnet is the name of a group of minerals that comes in a beautiful range of colours from rust-coloured to violet-red, the deep red Pyrope garnet and the vibrant green of Tsavorites. There are also rare blue and colourless garnets and very garnets which change colours in different lights.
A very durable gemstone (6.5-7.5 on the Mohs scale), garnet is found all over the world, including Wyoming, Czech Republic, Greece, Russian, Tanzania, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and India.
This beautiful gemstone makes a lovely gift of friendship, a January birthday, or celebrating a 2nd or 6th anniversary.
www.americangemsociety.org
Gemstones by Cally Hall
