Birthstones are popular options for those who want a personal piece of jewelry or a meaningful gift. In this article, we’re discussing everything you need to know about the birthstone for January, the garnet. Learn how to shop for, purchase, and set a garnet.
- What is the Birthstone for January?
- Myths About The Garnet
- How to Shop for January Birthstone
- Cleaning January Birthstone
- Contact a Jeweler
What is the Birthstone for January?
While some months have several birthstones, Garnet is the only birthstone for January. Its name comes from the old English word “garnet,” which means “dark red.”
Naturally, garnets have a deep red color, similar to that of a pomegranate. The name “garnet” actually derives from the Latin word “granatus,” which is also the root of the word “pomegranate.”
That being said, the deep red gemstone we typically see is just one of a range of types of garnet.
Myths About The Garnet
All gemstones have myths and legends attached to them, and birthstones even more so. Garnet, though, goes even further with the range of folklore surrounding it.
Garnet has long been associated with peace, prosperity, and health. This may explain why it is the birthstone for January, with the new year symbolizing new life. Garnet is also said to nurture and seal friendships.
However, garnet is also believed to bring misfortune upon those who act improperly whilst wearing it.
Where Does Garnet Come From?
References to garnet used in jewelry can be traced back over 5,000 years. The Ancient Egyptians used it frequently as a symbol of life, and garnet was very popular in ancient Rome.
Different types of garnet occur in various locations around the world. Pyrope, the type of garnet that produces the deep red color we are familiar with, is commonly found across the US. Deposits can be found in Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and North Carolina.
Historically, the Czech Republic was an important center of the garnet trade. Many Bohemian castles and important buildings used garnets extensively for decoration and good luck. Garnet is still mined in the Czech Republic, but the remaining deposits are very limited.
Cultivating The Stone
Garnet is available in a wide range of colors, ranging from yellow to black. Each color has a different chemical composition which alters the basic make-up of the stones.
True garnets are magnetic, being the only gemstone to demonstrate such properties. Because of their visible similarity to cheaper stones, a neodymium magnet is used to check whether stones are genuine garnets.
Physical Properties of Garnet
All garnets are silica-based, but each variety contains other properties that create entirely different—but related—gemstones. Pyrope garnet contains magnesium aluminum compounds that typically create a beautiful red color.
Garnet crystals can be any size or shape, from sand-like grains to large examples weighing hundreds of carats. Very large stones are rare, however.
On the Mohs hardness scale, garnet ranges from 7.5 to 8.5, depending on the type.
February Birthstone Jewelry
Most precious and semi-precious stones have natural cleavage. Natural cleavage means a stone can split along a reasonably predictable line before cutting and polishing. Garnet shows no cleavage, so any splitting of the stones creates sharp, unpredictable fragments. Modern laser cutting techniques, however, have fixed this problem.
How to Shop for January Birthstone
Gem-quality garnet is a little unusual in the range of the prices each stone can fetch. Lower-quality stones can go for as little as $100 per carat. The best quality garnets can go for 50 times as much.
Cut or polish quality greatly impacts price, as do color and clarity. Assuming you are looking for the red, pyrope garnet, then the deeper and more consistent the red across the stone, the better. Check each stone in both natural and artificial light, as it may react differently.
Some garnets have inclusions, which create interesting and beautiful effects within the stone. However, the light should still spread evenly across the surface without significant shadowing.
Cleaning January Birthstone
Although a tough gemstone, garnet will occasionally suffer chipping or even shattering. Always take care of your garnet jewelry, especially when doing activities that may knock the stones in any way.
Garnet isn’t heat-treated to improve its look. It will withstand heat better than most other stones. If your ring is especially dirty, leave it to soak in warm (but not hot) water for 20 minutes, and then use a baby toothbrush to loosen and remove the dirt from under and around the setting.
Once finished, rinse the ring and gently dry excess water off with a lint-free cloth before air drying the ring naturally.
Contact Us
Ready to shop for your January birthstone? Reach out to our expert jewelers at Estate Diamond Jewelry and we’ll help you find the perfect piece.
