Garnet - The Birthstone of January
Happy New Year everyone! It’s been a great year here at Bangles and Brides and we expect even more great things in the next year. And what better way to start the year than by talking about the birthstone for January, Garnet?
Garnet is traditionally thought of as red in color, but can be found in colors ranging from green to pale yellow to firey orange and earth tones. Certain garnets also have the ability to change color, much the same as Alexandrite, when going from natural light to artificial light. So don’t think that just because your birthstone is Garnet you are stuck with a red stone.
Garnet is another of the ancient gems having traditions going back as far as Noah’s Ark and being used as a lantern to guide Noah through the floods. It has come to symbolize truth, grace, faith, sincerity and loyalty. North American Indians used red garnets as bullets, believing they would seek blood and inflict a deadlier wound. Christians believed garnet symbolized Christ’s sacrifice; Islamics believed it illuminated the fourth heaven. Garnets were thought to stop bleeding, cure inflammatory diseases, and smooth discord.
The rich color of the garnet brings passion, productivity, and self-confidence to mind. Red garnet provides protection, gives the wearer’s self-esteem a boost, and provides a calming influence. Wear a garnet for protection from any threat to the body, mind, and spirit.
Who knew that such a simple stone could have so much history tied to it?
