Garnet: 8 Facts About January’s Birthstone

January’s birthstone is garnet: a gorgeous gemstone that brings vibrant color to this otherwise dreary month. We’ve compiled a list of our 8 favorite garnet facts so you can learn more about this popular stone.

1. This gemstone exists in a variety of colors.

When you think of garnets, you probably think of red gemstones. However, garnets can also be purple, orange, yellow, as well as other colors. You may have heard of tsavorite, which is a green type of garnet.² Rhodolite garnet will typically be a red-purple color and pyrope garnets will usually be more red-orange.⁴

2. Garnets have been a popular gemstone for centuries.

These stones were regularly used in jewelry during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.^1,3 Ancient Egyptians and the upper class during the Middle Ages also incorporated this gemstone into their jewelry.¹

3. Garnet mines operate in the United States as well as several other countries around the world.

These stones are mined throughout the world, including in Myanmar, Iran, India, and Brazil.¹ Garnets can be found in several states in the United States, but only three states currently mine this gemstone: Idaho, Montana, and New York.⁵ Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar are home to the green variety of garnet, tsavorite, and rhodolite garnet can be found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil, as well as other countries.^1,4

4. This gemstone scores a 6.5 to 7.5 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness.²

This score indicates that these gemstones are relatively hard, but they can still be scratched and broken. Therefore, you should be careful when you’re wearing this gemstone to avoid scratching or hitting this gemstone against anything.

5. The best way to clean garnets is by gently scrubbing them with a soft brush in warm, soapy water.

Mild soaps are best, like Dawn dish soap. If the garnets aren’t fractured or fracture filled, you can typically clean them in an Ultrasonic cleaner. To ensure the safety of your garnets, you should avoid cleaning them with a steamer.

6. This gemstone is New York’s state gemstone.

Some states in the U.S. designate a state gemstone. New York’s is garnet!

7. Garnets are common gifts for second wedding anniversaries.¹

Traditionally, husbands will give their wives garnet jewelry on their second anniversary.

8. This gemstone can exhibit an effect known as asterism.²

Asterism in garnets can be identified by a star pattern on the stone’s surface. Garnets form this pattern when light reflects off this stone’s surface, creating rays that originate near the center of the gemstone and extend outward towards the gemstone’s sides. Garnets that exhibit this effect are known as star garnets.

Shopping for Garnet Jewelry at Necker’s Jewelers

We have a large selection of this gemstone in our stores in DeWitt and Davenport, IA, and on our website.

Sources

1. January Birthstone | Garnet Birthstone Meaning | GIA

2. January Birthstone: Garnet – International Gem Society

3. Jewels of the Edwardians (gia.edu)

4. Rhodolite Garnet Value, Price, and Jewelry Information – IGS (gemsociety.org)

5. USGS Fact Sheet 2006-3149