January Birthstone: Garnet

Almandine Garnet

Almandine is the most common variety of garnet. Although almandine can display a magenta color, it is most commonly seen as a dark red and can even appear black. You can discover almandine garnet worldwide.

Andradite garnet has three varieties of its own: melanite (black to dark red), topazolite (pale to dark yellow), and demantoid. Demantoid is the rarest variety of andradite garnet as it displays an emerald-like hue and has higher dispersion than diamond, contributing to the gem’s sparkling brilliance. These luminous jewels can be found in Italy, Zaire, Kenya, France and Germany.

Grossularite Garnet

It derives its name from the Latin word "grossularia," meaning "gooseberry," owing to its green varieties that resemble the color of this fruit. However, green isn’t the only color in which the gem presents. Grossular gems have a wide array of colors including yellow, orange, pink, red and brown. Hessonite grossular garnet is an orange-brown color and can be unearthed in Brazil, Canada, Russia, and the United States in Maine, California and New Hampshire. Another variety of grossular is the tsavorite gem which resembles the gooseberry fruit with its lively green color and makes outstanding jewelry pieces. Tsavorite is the most sought-after gem in regards to the grossularite variety and is majorly sourced by Kenya.

Pyrope Garnet

The name pyrope comes from the Greek word “pyropos,” meaning fiery, alluding to this variety’s red color. You can find pyrope garnet in South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Scotland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Brazil, Myanmar and the United States, specifically in Arizona.

Spessartite Garnet

Spessartite garnet’s name is derived from the Spessart district of Bavaria, Germany. This gemstone can be mistaken for hessonite garnet and yellow topaz with its bright to burnt orange hues, but makes an outstanding piece of jewelry. Upon further inspection, this gem can be recognized by its inclusions as a gem-quality spessartite garnet is uncommon. You can find this warm variety in Sri Lanka, Madagascar Sweden, Australia, Brazil, Myanmar, Italy, the United States and Germany.

Uvarovite Garnet

Thanks to the presence of chromium, uvarovite garnet possesses a lustrous and captivating green color. However, this variety is the rarest among all garnets and is fairly fragile, making it difficult for the gem to be cut and transferred into jewelry pieces. Although uvarovite garnet is uncommon, if you’re ever on the search for this unique gem, Russia, Finland, Turkey and Italy are your best bet.

Cleaning your garnet jewelry is relatively simple, but it's important to handle the gemstones with care to avoid any damage. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean your garnet jewelry:

1. Use a bowl of warm water with mild dish soap or a gentle jewelry cleaner. 
2. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they may damage the garnet or the metal setting.
3. Let your garnet jewelry soak in the soapy water for a few minutes to loosen any dirt.
4. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove any dirt or debris from the surface of the garnet and the setting.
5. After soaking, remove the jewelry from the soapy water and rinse it thoroughly under running water.
6. Pat the jewelry gently with a clean, soft cloth to remove excess water.

By following these cleaning guidelines, you can keep your garnet jewelry looking beautiful and well-maintained for years to come.

What is the January birthstone?

January's birthstone is garnet. 

What color is the January birthstone?

Garnet is most commonly known for being red, however, it comes in every color of the rainbow, some more rare than others.

What does the birthstone garnet mean?

The garnet birthstone is associated with multiple meanings, including love, devotion, safety, and emotional balance.

Where is the garnet birthstone found?

Garnet is found all over the world in over 30 countries. Major sources of garnet include Kenya, India, Madagascar, Nigeria, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Mali.

How much is garnet worth?

How much garnet is worth varies between the varieties of garnet. For example almandine is the most common variety of garnet while demantoid is the rarest. With that being said, you can assume almandine will be more affordable than demantoid.

Is there a secondary January birthstone?

Yes, the secondary January birthstone is rose quartz.