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![Greenwich Solitaire ring, Rosecliff Stackable ring, and Newport Grand necklace, all featuring garnet in 14k yellow gold.](http://haverhill.com/cdn/shop/files/Facetune_19-09-2022-20-25-08_1_small.jpg?v=1664199130)
- HAVERHILL
- GEMSTONES
Garnet’s meaning, styling, and care
The symbolic meaning of January’s birthstone, Garnet, stems from its blood red color, linking it to the heart’s vitality, and thus friendship and love. Learn how to care for and style this rich red gemstone.
Since ancient times, humans have associated gemstones with healing properties and spiritual significance.
The pull to attach special significance to gemstones continues in modern times, with the designation in 1912 of birthstones for each month by the American National Association of Jewelers. Whether you choose a stone for its traditional spiritual meaning, its connection to your birth month, or love the color of the stone, it is fun to understand these traditions.
Red Garnet, with its earthy tones, is one of the most common gems, found on every continent. Garnets are mined in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Namibia, Pakistan, Russia, Scandinavia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Tanzania.
Caring for your Garnet Jewelry
Garnet is rated 6.5 - 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning it is moderately durable and appropriate for everyday wear, with a little caution. In 1822 Friedrich Mohs created this scale to rate gemstones from 1 (softest) to 10 (exceptionally hard), based on their ability to withstand scratches. Garnet can be scratched by gemstones which are harder on the Mohs Scale such as Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, and Diamonds. Store your Garnet jewelry in your jewelry pouch or box to keep the gemstone from being scratched by these harder stones.
Styling Tips for Garnet Jewelry
Combine the deep reds of Garnet with yellow gold to create a rich look for Autumn. Here we have paired an Adelaide Necklace with a Bristol Bead Garnet Necklace to accentuate the warm tones of Fall.
![Bristol Bead Garnet necklace featuring an 8mm center bead, and two 6mm gold beads on either side, on a 1.17mm cable chain.](http://haverhill.com/cdn/shop/files/Bristol-Garnet_small.jpg?v=1664206905)
Garnet's passionate coloring makes it a traditional choice for rings, especially around romantic occasions like Valentine’s Day or Anniversaries. To highlight the beauty of a Garnet, surround it with diamonds. The light and dark contrast makes the gemstone glow.
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FAQ
Rubies are a true red and Garnets often have a touch of earthy tones, including orange to brownish red. If you hold a Garnet so the light shines through it, the rainbow created should include yellow and green. Rubies will only show red when light passes through them. Rubies (9 on the Mohs scale) are harder than Garnets (6.5 - 7.5).
Absolutely not! People wear gemstones for many reasons, not just because they are the birthstone for the month they were born. You may choose to wear a stone because you feel a connection to the color, because the traditional meaning resonates with you, or because it reminds you of someone you love like a child, a friend or a loved one who has passed away. Jewelry is extremely personal and you should feel free to wear gemstones that speak to you.
Garnet’s long association with love and friendship makes it an excellent choice for a romantic gift. The deep red color of this lovely semi precious gemstone combined with its symbolic ties to devotion and commitment make it a thoughtful and meaningful gift for Valentine's Day or Annversaries.