Garnet – January’s Modern Birthstone

Garnet Trivia…..

The name for this wine-colored gemstone comes from the Latin granatus for "seedlike," because the crystals resemble pomegranate seeds. Garnets also come in yellow, orange, green, pink, white and gray. These stones form under high temperatures and/or pressures, and can be used by geologists as a gauge of the temperatures and pressures other rocks in the vicinity have endured. They are also an indicator mineral for diamonds. The traditional way of finding diamond deposits is to sample materials at the surface, looking for minerals, such as garnets, that are often formed with diamonds, but in much greater quantities. Garnets are found in Kenya, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Canada, the U.S.A., the Czech Republic and Spain.

According to legend, Noah suspended a finely cut, glowing garnet to illuminate the ark and steer it through the dark night. Garnets also are found in jewelry from the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, and have best been known as the warrior's stone. Soldiers carried garnet to ward off death and injury, and it also was used as a weapon against enemies by being shot out of a gun. The gemstone was set in shields, buckles and other items worn by Crusaders, and Italian widows commonly wore the gemstone in jewelry. Slices of garnet were also used as a mark of distinction in the windows of churches and temples.

Garnets symbolize fire, faith, courage, truth, grace, compassion, constancy and fidelity. It is a stone of healing and is used to treat disorders of the blood, heart, and lungs. They are believed to stimulate the bloodstream and pituitary glands, and to combat depression, lethargy and nightmares. Garnets are to be carried close to the body to maximize their balancing and peaceful energy, and are said to protect travelers from harm.

Metaphysical Properties- Red Garnet opens the root chakra while drawing earth energy into the body. Stimulates life-force, boosts sexuality and fertility. It works to move energy though the light body and circulatory system. Garnet also deals with issues of survival and abandonment. It is as a stone of purification, elimination and cleansing.

Numerology- Red Garnet vibrates to the number 2. The number 2 is about partnerships, cooperation and gentleness.

The color Red - symbolizes energy, strength, physical existence, and vitality. It is associated with the material side of life (abundance) and survival issues. It is used to increase circulation and to energize the nervous system. Red increases your connection with the Earth, it gives strength and will to live in the physical world.