The popularity of birthstones is growing rapidly in the present times. Nowadays, you can see many people expressing their unique personalities by choosing birthstone jewelry over fashion jewelry. You are lucky to be born in the first month of the year because the January birthstone has something more than meets the eye. The birthstone for January is garnet; in fact, it’s both the traditional and modern birthstone for January.
If you’re considering wearing a jewelry piece created with your birthstone, we’ll make sure that you learn everything about it. Read on to explore the world of the January birthstone in this article.
What Is Garnet?
Many know garnet as a vibrant red color gemstone but in reality garnets are a group of minerals. Garnets are not a single gemstone species, they comprise various species. Gemstones belonging to the garnet group of minerals can be found in various hues and colors. This is one of the big reasons why many people love the January birthstone. Almandine, Andradite, Hydrogrossular, Pyrope and Uvarovite, to name a few, are some of the mineral species that belong to the garnet mineral family.
History Of Garnet Stones
Red garnet gemstones were extremely popular among Egypt’s pharaohs. It’s believed that pharaohs of Egypt used to wear red garnet necklaces. The garnet birthstone was also popular in ancient Rome. In ancient Rome, signet rings featuring carved garnet gemstones were used to stamp the wax that secured important documents. Moreover, red garnets were the most widely traded gemstones during the time of the Roman author, Pliny the Elder (23 to 79 AD).
Which Is The Most Popular Gemstone In The Garnet Mineral Family?
Hessonite garnet is one of the most popular gemstones in the garnet mineral family. Its colors range from orange, yellow-orange to reddish orange. This yellow-orange to reddish orange gemstone belongs to the grossular garnet mineral family. If you like the fiery orange color of hessonite garnet, you are not alone. Many people choose hessonite garnet gemstones as their favorite January birthstones.
Another popular gemstone variety of the garnet mineral family is tsavorite. Tsavorite is also one of the most expensive gemstone varieties of garnet. It occurs in yellow green, green and deep green colors. Tsavorite gemstones in the deep green color are the most expensive ones. Such tsavorites make great engagement ring stones because of their emerald-like rich green color. If your favorite birthstone for January is tsavorite, you can wear it in any jewelry piece of your choice.
Are Garnets Durable?
Garnet gemstones score 6.5-7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. These gemstones are perfect for low-contact jewelry items, such as pendants and earrings. You can wear January birthstone rings on special occasions.
Cleaning & Care For Natural Garnet Stone Jewelry
Garnets are sturdy gemstones but they are heat sensitive. You should clean your garnet jewelry pieces using warm water, detergent and a soft brush.
The Bottom Line
Garnets have a lot to offer in terms of color varieties. So, you can choose a January birthstone in your favorite color. If hessonite garnet and tsavorite have captured your imagination, you can get jewelry encrusted with them at attractive prices from GemsNY.
