BIRTHSTONE FOR THE JANUARY CHILD

January’s birthstone, the garnet, symbolizes a light heart, loyalty and enduring affections.

Garnet. Jeffery Mine, Quebec, Canada. Bureau of Mines, Mineral Specimens C\01687. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Latin word for  “garnet” is  “granatum” meaning “pomegranate.”  The reason is because the crystals resemble the red color and seed-like form of this fruit.  Generally, people think of the garnet as a red gemstone, but in fact, there are a variety of colors, such as black, different shades of red and green, or even colorless. 

The many colors of garnet comes from metals such as aluminium,calcium, manganese, and iron.  Some varieties of garnet possesses mineral fibers that produce the effect of a four- or six-rayed star within the stone.

Green garnets are the most expensive and highly prized but they are very rare. 

Emerald green and colorless stones are also highly valued, followed by pure red garnets.

Garnets RAD 135 (Photo credit: sarawestermark)

Garnets are can be found as small pebbles in streams, and they are contained in the igneous and metamorphic rocks which have weathered away.

These gemstones are found all over the world including places such as North and South America, Australia, India, Asia and Spain 

Garnet in history

Ancient warriors believed that garnets has the power to bring victory. The Crusaders wear garnet stones to protect them against wounds and accidents during their journeys. 

However in Asia,  warriors uses them as bullets and believed that the glow in the garnets, can inflict more severe wounds.  

In 1892, during hostile confrontations on the Kashmir frontier, the Hanza tribesmen fired garnet bullets at the British soldiers.  They believed them to be more effective than lead bullets.

Uvarovite pendant. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the former Czechoslovakia, archaeologists have found evidence of garnet jewelry dating to the Bronze age in ancient graves. Garnet jewelry has also been discovered dating as far back as 3100 B.C. in Egypt, 2300 B.C. in Sumeria, and even further 2000-1000 B.C. in Sweden. 

In the 3rd and 4th century Greece, garnets were treasured gems and continued to be popular during Roman times.  These gems have also been used as ornaments across the Atlantic, by Pre-Columbian Aztec and Native Americans.

Like many  precious stones, garnets were once believed to have medicinal powers. 

In Medieval times, wearers believed that they are protected against poisons, wounds and nightmares, and can cure depression. 

A collection of oval Garnets in light to dark shades. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Red garnets relieved fever, hemorrhages and inflammatory diseases.

Until my next post, Have An AweSome Day!

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