Happy New Year January's birthstone is the Garnet. This beautiful stone is most commonly red but can come in range of other colors. The word " Garnet" comes from the 14th Century English word "gernet" meaning dark red. The word is derived from Latin "granaturn" which means seed, referring to the resemblance to the red seeds of the pomagranate.
This stone can go back as far as the bronze age. It also refers back to 3100BC when the Egyptians used garnet as inlays in their jewelry and carvings. Garnet also goes back to the Romans in the 3rd and 4th Century being used in signet rings. Some ancient healers and wise men even placed garnets in wounds and praised its healing powers
The folklore on granet is extensive. Legend has it that the garnet can bring peace, prosperity and good health to the home. It has been called the "Gem of Faith"and its believed that those who wear it and do good, more good will come. The Garnet also symbolized deep and lasting friendship.
Garnets come in a rainbow of colors, from deep red to vibrant green. Rare garnets are even blue, colorless, or most-rare-of-all-change colors in different lights. Most common color is a beautiful range of reds.
Start the New Year with a beautiful Garnet and fulfill yourself with a sense of goodwill, happiness and purpose.