January Birthstones

Garnet

Garnet is the accepted birthstone for the month of January. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the second year of marriage.

When most people think of garnet, they picture the dark red Bohemian garnet that was popular in Victorian times. You may be surprised to learn that garnets are found in every color except blue, including brilliant green tsavorite garnet, raspberry pink rhodolite garnet, and orange malaya garnet.

Bright red "anthill" garnets are found in Arizona. The czars of Russia favored rare green demantoid garnets.

Garnets offer enough variety in appearance to suit every taste, as well as an outstanding price range to suit every pocketbook.

Legend holds that Noah hung a large garnet in the ark for illumination. Garnets are durable and brilliant and will give years of pleasure.

As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect garnet from scratches, sharp blows, and extreme temperature changes.

Garnets are found in the United States, Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil and India.