One of my favourite stones, Garnet is the official birthstone for January and signifies protection, friendship, trust, commitment, and love.
The name Garnet derives from the Latin word for grain due to the similarity between their rounded crystals and a pomegranate’s seeds.
The pomegranate stone of Garnet gleams with a dark red luster that instantly stirs the soul. This precious gemstone has long been known for its rich connections to creativity and love. The Garnet comes with a thousand stories to its name. It was said to have been the only light on Noah’s Ark, marking it as a stone that held every single note of hope that there was an olive branch waiting at the end of a great struggle...
In ancient mythology, it is said that the Goddess of Sunshine was captured by Hades and carried down into the underworld. He tricked her into eating the gleaming pomegranate seeds which were said to have bound her to him forever. However, Persephone needed to walk in the light of the sun and wasn’t one to be kept shut away from the world. She struck a deal with Hades that she would split her time between the earth and the world beneath, and thus the seasons were born. The Latin word for Pomegranate is Granatum, and one glance at these bright red stones reminds you of how these jewels got their name.
Because of the tale of Persephone, the Garnet has become a stone of courage and the power of positive thinking. It is also a talisman for travelers who are looking to find their way out in the world. The Garnet can be found gleaming in many corners of the world. It has been sourced in India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and beyond. It’s a gemstone of glowing sexuality, it is all fire and light, and it connects deeply to our root chakras (like all the red stones) but also goes to work on our solar plexus and our hearts too.
Red garnets are celebrated for bestowing boundless vitality, life, and happiness to the wearer. As the color denotes passionate indulgence, it is believed that wearing a garnet elevates the overall quality of one’s life, surcharging it with a newfound fervor.
According to the Hindu astrology, the red birthstone is also capable of wearing off negative emotions of depression and loneliness, ubiquitous in the current times.
Garnets are commonly red but also come in an extraordinary range of beautiful colors, including orange, yellow, purple and vibrant green.