January's birthstone

The rich tones of the Garnet are the birthstone for those born in January.

Garnet is said to improve self-confidence and increase courage. Believed to be the stone of devotion, inspiring romantic love.

Measuring between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs' scale of hardness, Garnet comes in every colour except blue.

Pyrope Garnet is blood red in colour and is found in volcanic rock.

Rhodolite Garnet has a pink hue to it and takes its name from the Rhododendron plant.

Almandine Garnet is dark red and slices of it have been used in the windows of churches and temples.

Tsavorite Garnet is transparent green and has been mined in Kenya since the 1960s.

Grossular Garnet (includes Tsavorite and Hessonite) takes its name from the botanical name for Gooseberry after the gooseberry-green garnets first discovered in the former USSR.

If you were born under the Zodiac sign of Capricorn (23 December - 19 January), the stone historically associated with your sign is the Ruby.

If you were born under the Zodiac sign of Aquarius (20 January - 19 February), the stone historically associated with your sign is the Garnet.

The custom of wearing birthstone jewellery gained momentum in 18th Century Poland and is thought to stem from an interest in the significance of the original twelve stones in the breastplate of the Jewish high priest, as highlighted by St Jerome in the 5th Century.

Return to home page


All copyright, design rights and intellectual property rights existing in our designs and products and in the images, text and design of this website are and will remain the property of Sally Spencer. Any infringement of these rights will be pursued vigorously.
All designs, images and text are © 2005 Sally Spencer