Garnet - January Birthstone
Those born in January are lucky to have garnet as their birthstone. The name “garnet” originates from the medieval Latin granatus, meaning “pomegranate,” in reference to its well-known red color. In reality, garnets commonly come in an extraordinary range of beautiful colors, including orange, yellow, purple and vibrant green. This is because garnet is actually a group of several minerals:
The different types of garnet range between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means that this birthstone is more susceptible to damage than rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. So, while not all garnets are good candidates for daily wear, they are ideal for earrings and pendants.
Some believe its power to bring the wearer good health, wealth and happiness. According to Indian astrology, garnet helps eliminate negative feelings (depression, guilt) and instill greater self-confidence, and mental clarity to promote creative thinking and peace of mind. In ancient and medieval times, gems like garnet were also thought to be remedies for inflammatory diseases and to soothe the angry heart.