People born in January are associated with the Garnet gemstone, often also referred to as the birthstone for january. This birthstone represented good health prosperity and peace, according to the American Gem Society, and is traditionally found in red hues. Even though the Garnet gemstone’s primary color is red, the stone can also be found in other colors. It is thought that wearing a Garnet gemstone is able to provide wealth and health, as well as contribute to happiness. In this article, we are going to explore different aspects of the Garnet gemstone, appointed as the January birthstone. We will look at the origin of the Garnet stone, the thoughts and beliefs behind this stone, some essential facts about the stone itself and also look at some excellent gift ideas.
The History Of The Garnet Gemstone
Let’s start by taking a look at the origin and some facts about the history of the Garnet gemstone. The discovery of this stone dates back to around 3100 B.C. It is thought that the gemstone names was originally discovered in Egypt, but not solid evidence is available to back up these claims. Later on, in the 16th century, red Garnet gemstones was discovered in a different part of the world – in the central part of Europe, to be more specific. Today, however, Garnet gemstones are mined throughout the world, including in India, the United States, Madagascar, the Czech Republic and more. One particular fact that is quite unique of the Garnet gemstone is the fact that it is often mined without having to dig underground as deposits of the gemstone is sometimes found above ground level.
Technical Details Of The Garnet Gemstone
The Garnet gemstone is primarily available in a red color. The stone can be found in different hues of red, ranging from light red hues to very deep red colors. While red is the most popular color that the Garnet gemstone is found in, the stone can also be obtained in a different color. Apart from red, other colors include green, in which case the gemstone is often referred to as a Tsavorite Garnet, and purple, which is referred to as the Rhodolite Garnet, as reported by the Gemological Institute of America.
The Garnet gemstone is ranked the seventh on the Mohs hardness scale, falling just behind the Topaz, which is rated eight on the Mohs hardness scale. The Garnet is harder than the Orthoclase and Apatite gemstones. When a person takes good care of this particular gemstone, it can last for centuries – some Garnet gemstones in current existence have been dated back as much as 3000 B.C.
Another interesting fact to consider about the Garnet gemstone is the fact that the largest stone of this type ever to be found weighed in at 35,000 kilograms. This Garnet gemstone was discovered in Norway.
The Meaning Of The Garnet Gemstone
The term “Garnet” has been derived from the Latin word “Granatum”. “Granatum” translates to “seed” in English. The traditional color of the Garnet gemstone is thought to represent the redness of a pomegranate seed. The stone is often associated with power, wealth and health. These stones are believed to bring its wearer a lot of good fortune, but only when the person wearing the gemstone performs good actions. If the wearer performs bad actions, it is believed that the gemstone will bring the wearer bad fortune.
Birthstone Gift Ideas
While the Garnet gemstone is quite sturdy, it still does not outweigh some of the other stones on the market; thus it is not recommended to place a Garnet stone in a ring that will be worn on an everyday basis. Rings with Garnet gemstones should rather be worn for special occasions. The Garnet gemstone is also often provided as a gift during a second wedding anniversary.
Conclusion
The Garnet gemstone, which is dubbed the January gemstone, is thought to bring good fortune to those who perform good actions for others, and is associated with power and wealth, as well as good health. The stone features a beautiful red color and can be found throughout the entire world. Even though dubbed the January birthstone, the Garnet gemstone is also considered the perfect second anniversary gift.