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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.
The Meaning of Garnet
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. It is connected to the heart chakra, enhancing relationships, and inspiring love and devotion. Garnet jewelry is often given as a sign of devotion and commitment and is the gemstone chosen for the second and eighth anniversaries.
The Meaning of Garnet
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. It is connected to the heart chakra, enhancing relationships, and inspiring love and devotion. Garnet jewelry is often given as a sign of devotion and commitment and is the gemstone chosen for the second and eighth anniversaries.
A symbol of enduring affection and eternal friendship, Garnets are associated with Persephone from Greek mythology. The goddess of vegetation was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the Underworld. While there, she ate six pomegranate seeds, condemning her to remain in the Underworld for that many months out of the year, resulting in six months of winter followed by spring. Because garnets resemble pomegranate seeds, the stone has come to stand for the safe return of a friend or loved one. Garnets are thus said to protect travelers on their journeys and were often exchanged between friends as tokens that they would meet again.
A symbol of enduring affection and eternal friendship, Garnets are associated with Persephone from Greek mythology. The goddess of vegetation was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the Underworld. While there, she ate six pomegranate seeds, condemning her to remain in the Underworld for that many months out of the year, resulting in six months of winter followed by spring. Because garnets resemble pomegranate seeds, the stone has come to stand for the safe return of a friend or loved one. Garnets are thus said to protect travelers on their journeys and were often exchanged between friends as tokens that they would meet again.
The connection to vitality and life force has also meant that Garnets are seen as having protective powers. Many ancient cultures from Saxon and Celtic kings to Native American healers believed that garnets had protective powers. King Solomon wore garnets into battle, as did Christian and Muslim warriors during the Crusades hoping to be protected from injury. Garnet is the birthstone for the Zodiac signs of Capricorn and Aquarius.
The connection to vitality and life force has also meant that Garnets are seen as having protective powers. Many ancient cultures from Saxon and Celtic kings to Native American healers believed that garnets had protective powers. King Solomon wore garnets into battle, as did Christian and Muslim warriors during the Crusades hoping to be protected from injury. Garnet is the birthstone for the Zodiac signs of Capricorn and Aquarius.
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.
Garnet - Gemstone Knowledge
Garnet is a semi precious gemstone which derives its name from the Latin word, “granatus,” which means seed, evoking the vivid red seeds of a pomegranate. Garnets are actually a group of silicate minerals including pyrope, almandine, spessartine, andradite, and grossular, with similar crystal structure and colors ranging from yellow, to orange, pink, red, purple, green, brown, and black.
Garnet - Gemstone Knowledge
Garnet is a semi precious gemstone which derives its name from the Latin word, “granatus,” which means seed, evoking the vivid red seeds of a pomegranate. Garnets are actually a group of silicate minerals including pyrope, almandine, spessartine, andradite, and grossular, with similar crystal structure and colors ranging from yellow, to orange, pink, red, purple, green, brown, and black.
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.
Garnet is moderately durable and so is a good choice for everyday wear, with a little care. You can wear your Garnet jewelry in the shower, while swimming, sleeping and exercising. Keep Garnets away from extreme heat and be sure not to strike them against hard surfaces.
Garnet is moderately durable and so is a good choice for everyday wear, with a little care. You can wear your Garnet jewelry in the shower, while swimming, sleeping and exercising. Keep Garnets away from extreme heat and be sure not to strike them against hard surfaces.
How to Clean your Garnet Jewelry
Occasional cleaning with a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild dye-free dish soap and water is a simple way to maintain the beauty of your Garnet jewelry. Let the jewelry soak in a small bowl for a few minutes (keep it away from the sink & drain), then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
How to Clean your Garnet Jewelry
Occasional cleaning with a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild dye-free dish soap and water is a simple way to maintain the beauty of your Garnet jewelry. Let the jewelry soak in a small bowl for a few minutes (keep it away from the sink & drain), then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
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.
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.