Garnet

History

Garnet, the birthstone of January, has been prized throughout history for its durability and beauty and has a rich and varied past. This sumptuous precious stone draws its name from the 14th century Middle English word gernet, meaning “dark red.” The word is derived from the Latin word granatum, which means “seed,” and is called so because of the gemstone’s resemblance to the beautifully red seeds of the pomegranate. As a result of this this stone is often associated with Persephone. Garnet has been used for millennia for jewellery and decorative objects and is one of the oldest known gemstones. Archaeologists have recovered garnet necklaces and talismans from Ancient Egyptian tombs and mummies. This gem was also highly valued by the Ancient Greeks and Romans who used garnet signet rings to seal important documents. The Romans compared the glow of garnet to that of coal-- and the passionate red led them to associate the gem with Mars, the god of war. It was believed to be a powerful talisman for protection both by warriors going into battle and those wanting to ward off pestilence and plague. Both Saxon and Celtic kings favoured garnet inlaid jewellery because of the protection it was believed to offer.

Geography

Garnet deposits have been found all over the world in localities including India, Russia, South America, Pakistan, United States, Madagascar and in the United Kingdom (particularly the highlands of Scotland).

Geology

Garnets typically form in metamorphic rocks and sometimes in igneous rocks under high temperatures and pressures and is actually the name for a group of minerals.  Though the rich red of the almandine garnet is by far the most common and most famous garnet is actually a name used to describe a group of silicate minerals  almandine, pyrope, spessartine, grossular, andradite and uvarovite.