Birthstones are special stones (often semi-precious stones) that are associated with a particular month in the Georgian calendar. Birthstone jewellery associated with the recipient's birthday makes a popular gift. Some months and zodiac signs have several birthstones associated with them because of various reasons. Some have modern birthstone associations as well as other birthstones that were associated with them in older times.
The
birthstone January is the garnet, a semi-precious stone usually in a deep red colour. Because of its colour, the qualities associated with garnet are in part derived from the associations of the colour red, i.e. it is said to strengthen sexuality, sensuality and passion. However, the garnet also has other qualities. It is associated with friendship, faithfulness, commitment and truth and is thought to aid with removal of negativity and insight. It is representative of perseverance and is given on the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversaries.
Garnet is associated with the zodiac sign of Capricorn (as an alternate) as the month of January is ruled by this sign. Although Capricorn has some other stones associated with it, the qualities inherent in the garnet are seen to be ones directly relating to Capricorn (such as perseverance, commitment, etc.). It is the birthstone for the sign of Aquarius, a sign that is often associated with honesty.
Garnets come in a variety of colours, not just red, although they are usually thought of as the red colour. The word garnet is derived from 'Granatum', ancient Greek for seed. This is because the red crystals look a lot like the seeds of the pomegranate fruit.
There are many types of garnet, including:
Almandine garnet - brownish or reddish brown
Andradite garnet - can be black, green or brown
Grossular garnet - green, orange or without colour
Pyrope garnet - ruby red or dark red
Spessartine garnet - brown, pink or orange
Uvaorite garnet - green
There are many other types of garnet however, including remarkable colour-changing ones which change from green, beige, brown, grey or blue to reddish purple/pink in incandescent light. Individual stones can vary greatly in quality, and red garnets are the most common. They are abundantly available and relatively cheap compared to other semi-precious stones. The green garnets are the rarest and therefore most expensive.
Garnets have been valued across the world for centuries. Garnets have been used as a gemstone since prehistoric times, and ancient Egyptians were wearing
garnet jewellery as early as 3100BC. The first industrial use of garnets was much later, when it was used as coated sandpaper in 1878.
Garnet jewellery has also been found in Sumerian graves, and in medieval times soldiers wore the stone to ward off wounding and bring victory.
In modern times, garnets are perceived as great gifts to symbolise love and friendship. For those born in January, they make a very special gift, reminding the wearer not only of the good qualities of character he or she is meant to have but also of the meaning of their relationship.
