What Is the History Behind January Birthstone - Garnet?

 

If you are fortunate to have been born in January or have a loved one born in the month, Garnet, the magnificent January birthstone should arouse your enthusiasm. Closely resembling a deep red pomegranate seed, the stone is fascinating with its luscious, crystal-like appearance. Color ‘red’ has always been connoted with unbridled passion, love, luxury, and opulence. One look at the birthstone, and the belief gets reaffirmed. For couples approaching two years of marital bliss, there is another reason to exhibit a keen persuasion for the gemstone. The lavish garnet stone is reckoned to mark the second wedding anniversary. We cannot ponder enough to think of a more timeless gift than a stunning garnet-embedded jewelry piece for the occasion.

 

How Garnet Was Celebrated Even in The Ancient Times?

The gorgeous ‘Garnet’ stone is not a marvel discovery of recent times. It’s acknowledgment and usage as a gemstone and abrasive traces back to the Bronze Age, around 5,000 years ago. The name ‘Garnet’ originates from the medieval Latin granatus, meaning ‘seeds’, owing to its captivating resemblance with the pomegranate seeds. A handful of red garnets laid out in the sun, and one could easily mistake them as some lush seeds of the fruit. 

Such is the spellbinding beauty of these red gemstones that even thousands of years ago, the pharaohs in ancient Egypt felt ensnared with their charm. They would adorn necklaces studded with garnets. Years later, archeologists discovered precious garnet jewelry in the tombs of these pharaohs, dating back to 3100 B.C. Considering them a prized possession to ensure security in the afterlife, they would even bury red garnets with their corpses, disguised as mummies. The ancient Romans and Greeks would wear signet rings with carved garnets to stamp the wax that would secure essential documents. Even medieval Europe witnessed the clergy and nobility hold the fancy gemstone in high esteem and often wore garnet embellished jewelry with pride galore. The Victorians, too, known for their aesthetic brilliance, were enthralled with the stone. A prevalent jewelry stone of the time - tiny red garnets were clustered together to form a large jewelry piece, executed with intricate craftsmanship.