Garnet: The Vibrant January Birthstone

For those born in January, the diverse and beautiful garnet is the traditional birthstone. Garnets come in an extraordinary range of colors beyond the classic red, making them a versatile gemstone to complement any personal style. Discover the history, lore, and styling tips for the January birthstone garnet.

What is Garnet?

Garnet is actually a group of several minerals that form a set of gemstones ranging from purple, red, orange, yellow, green, brown, pink, and even color change. The most common garnet varieties are:

• Pyrope: Purple to red
• Almandine: Purple-red to red
• Spessartine: Yellow, gold, orange, red
• Grossular: Colorless, yellow, green, orange, red
• Andradite: Yellow, green, black

Some famous garnets include bright green tsavorite and honey-colored hessonite. The name "garnet" comes from the Latin "granatum" meaning pomegranate, referencing its red color.

Garnets have been prized since ancient times, used in jewelry and as abrasives. The Egyptians, Romans, and Middle Ages nobility adorned themselves in red garnet jewelry and intaglio seals.

Learn more about the garnet group of minerals

Garnet's Role as the January Birthstone

Garnet has traditional connections as the January birthstone in both Western and Hindu astrology.

In the West, red garnet birthstones are linked to bringing the wearer health, wealth, and happiness. The stone's deep red color was thought to energize and revitalize.

In Indian culture, garnet birthstones foster mental clarity, inspiration, and elimination of negative feelings based on Ayurvedic traditions.

People also associate this January birthstone with the 2nd wedding anniversary as a symbol of eternal friendship and trust.

Where are Garnets Found?

Historically the Czech Republic produced rich red pyrope garnets, while today garnets originate from many countries:

• Africa: Tsavorite (Kenya, Tanzania), Orange spessartine (Namibia)
• Asia: Andradite (India), Spessartine (Sri Lanka)
• Australia: Pyrope, Spessartine
• South America: Rhodolite (Brazil), Spessartine (Brazil, Uruguay)
• United States: Spessartine (California), Andradite (Arizona, Idaho)

Small-scale artisanal mining provides most gem garnets. Kenya specifically is the major source for prized tsavorite garnet.

Garnet Jewelry Care and Cleaning

With hardness between 6.5 and 7.5, garnets are softer than many gems. This makes them best suited for earrings, pendants, and occasional wear rings versus daily wear rings. Take care not to scratch garnets against harder gems.

Clean garnets with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid steam cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaning is typically safe, except for fracture-filled stones.

How to Buy Garnet Jewelry

• Seek a bright, pure hue without brown or gray undertones
• Look for high transparency in clean stones
• Green tsavorite and demantoid should exhibit vivid color
• Well-cut cushions and ovals show best color saturation
• Ask about any treatments like fracture filling
• Pick the garnet color that best fits your style

See our garnet buying guide for more tips.

Work with a jeweler you trust to find the ideal garnet birthstone to fit your taste and budget.

Garnet Jewelry Style Inspiration

• Classic stud earrings in green tsavorite or red pyrope
• Vintage rose or cushion cuts in flower-shaped rings
• Beaded garnet necklaces paired with earthy tones
• Mix purple, green, and orange garnets together
• Choose silver metals for green garnets, gold for red-orange

Let your personal style shine through when picking garnet jewelry!

Key Facts About the January Birthstone

• Represents the zodiac sign of Aquarius
• Given as 2nd and 6th wedding anniversary gifts
• Was called carbuncle in ancient times
• Provides vibrancy to any jewelry wardrobe
• Pairs beautifully with all skin tones
• Has been prized for thousands of years
• Garnet types occur in nearly every color

Discover your perfect garnet gemstone for a January birthday or to add captivating color to your jewelry collection!