Origin

Garnet is the birthstone for January and for the astrological sign of Aquarius. Garnet is the traditional gemstone given on both the second and sixth wedding anniversaries.

Garnet is the name which can be applied to six similar mineral species, namely almandine, pyrope, spessartine, grossular, andradite and uvarovite. To further complicate matters, many garnets are actually a combination of these minerals.  Rhodolite garnet for instance, is a combination of almandine and pyrope, and is sometimes referred to as pyrope-almandine garnet.


There are also many trade names and other commonly used names which only adds to the confusion, such as Rhodolite, Tsavorite, Hessonite, Malaya, Mozambique, Mandarin, Ant-hill, Leuco, Hydrogrossular, Demantoid, Melanite, Topazolite, Thai. Other names such as "cape ruby" are simply misleading and deceptive.


As the light moves over the stone, the colors of the stone look even more prevalent and beautiful.   Some garnets also exhibit color change and stars. Garnet has a hardness of 7.0 - 7.5 on the Mohs scale and is not generally enhanced. It is mined in U.S. (Arizona), South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Myanmar (Burma), Scotland, Switzerland, Tanzania.


History / Mythology

The ancient Greeks used small pieces of garnet to decorate a variety of items.  Garnets were used to fill in the tiniest of details to evoke a look of royalty.

The red color of the garnet is sometimes such a deep shade that it can look almost black when the light is not shining on it in a certain way. Garnet gemstones contain highly concentrated amounts of calcium chromium, aluminum, and iron, and silicate.  It is believed that this combination of elements gives garnet a variety of healing powers. Garnet is thought to promote health, giving skin an added special glow, and to protect from many types of pre-cancerous conditions. Garnet prevents bad dreams and fights depression.  

Garnet lore states that the deep red colors of the garnet bring with it the ability to give confidence and improve decision-making abilities. Garnet is also believed to help remember what happened in past lives, and the ability to attract love from friends, relatives, or lovers.

It is thought that garnet worn around your neck, or as an earring, will help balance anger, depression, and improve self-esteem.  This provides happiness, confidence, and a mental balance that garnet wearers will surely notice.  In ancient times, it was thought that bullets made of the powerful garnet gemstone would kill those who possessed an evil spirit.

Garnets are often given to friends to symbolize affection, and to ensure friends meet again, no matter how long the separation might be.

---

Metaphysical Lore

Garnet is a "Stone of Health", extracting negative energy from the chakras, and transmuting the energy to a beneficial state.  The Garnet is also known as a "Stone of Commitment " - to purpose, to others and to oneself.

It is said to have been one of the stones in the Breastplate of the High Priest,  and has been used as a sacred stone by the North & South American Indians, Aztecs, Mayans and African tribal leaders.

The Garnet balances and stimulates the development and movement of the Kundalini, stimulating from both the crown and root chakra.  It monitors the flow of energy and aids in the balance and alignment with "All That Is".

Star Garnet is rumored to provide connections to other worlds, help in dream memory.  It is called the 'Stone of Majesty' as it promotes flashes of insight into "right" doing.

(Elemental Astrological Signs of Leo, Virgo, Capricorn & Aquarius)

Vibrates to the number2

Medicinal Lore

Garnet is said to be an excellent stone for treating disorders of the spine and core organs of the body. It is said to be helpful in all conditions requiring regenerative forces as it aids in the both the repair and prevention of damage to RNA/DNA structures.