Garnet stackable rings available at LesOlsonJewelers.com“If you ain’t first, you’re last,” as Ricky Bobby says in the movie Talladega Nights, so if you’re born in January, you’re already a winner! You’ve definitely hit the jackpot when it comes to birthstones because you have so many options.
A little-known fact about garnet is that it comes in almost every color of the rainbow! So, if you’re not fond of the traditional deep red, you can choose yellow, pink, green, blue, and the list goes on.
Garnet includes a group of several minerals, five of which are important as gems – pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossularite, and andradite.
Pyrope and almandine range from purple to red. Spessartine has orange and yellow tones, while andradite is usually yellow to green. Grossularite can range from colorless to yellow to reddish-orange and a vibrant green called tsavorite.
Lotus garnet (shown to the right and only available in-store) is a favorite of ours and comes in pinky peach tones, and is a part of the pyrope, almandine, and spessartine families.
Garnet gets its name from the Latin “granatus,” meaning pomegranate, as it traditionally shares the same deep red color as the fruit.
This captivating stone is found in many countries worldwide, such as Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Myanmar, Brazil, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. They can also be found in Southern California’s Little Three mining area.
Garnets have been admired throughout the ages from 3rd century Rome to Medieval times as protective stones with healing properties. It is said that Noah even used garnet on the ark as a source of light.
In modern times, garnets represent loyalty, unchanging affections, and business success and are the traditional second anniversary gift.
A relatively soft stone, measuring only 6.5 on the Mohs scale that tests for hardness, garnets are more prone to scratches. They are not recommended for engagement rings but are perfect for statement rings, earrings, necklaces, and brooches. Be sure to store them away from harder stones such as diamonds and sapphires.
Visit Les Olson Jewelers to see traditional red and lotus garnets or shop online.
