Garnet
" By her who in January was born, no gem save GARNETS shall be worn. They will insure her constancy, true friendship, and fidelity.." - Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Garnet is the birthstone for January and the stone that celebrates the second anniversary of marriage. The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word “Garanatus,” meaning “seedlike,” for the simple fact that small garnets look like the bright red seeds you find inside in a pomegranate.
Garnets are thought to have powers such as healing, strength, and protection. They are often worn to relieve inflammations of the skin. Garnet is also believed to regulate the heart and blood flow and aid in curing depression. In earlier times, garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they meet again. The garnet continues to be the protective gem of journeyers. A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming.
Throughout history garnet has made an appearance in many myths and legends. For example, there is a biblical legend that Noah hung this gem on the ark to light his way through the dark and stormy nights during God's wrath. In these biblical writings, garnet is referred to as "carbunculus" meaning "little spark". Another example would be the Greek myth linked to the garnet about the young goddess of sunshine, Persephone. This young goddess was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld. Before Hades finally released Persephone, he bestowed upon her a handful of pomegranate seeds to guarantee her speedy return to him.
Garnet was first mined in Sri Lanka over 2500 years ago. This beautiful gemstone can still be found there, and can also be found in Africa, Australia, Argentina, India, Russia, and South America. Here in the United States it can be found in Arizona and Idaho. Albeit garnet is known as a red gemstone, it can be found in an amazing diverseness of hues. These other beautiful hues are lime green, rosy pink, soft yellow, and deep violet. There is hardly any other stone that unites such a broad spectrum of color and luster, as well as rarity and size of widely varying gemstones. For example, the precious green uvarovite garnet from the Urals, is an almost priceless gemstone due to the fact that it only forms in fairly large crystals.
Not only does this stone have beauty , it has great strength. On MOH's scale of mineral hardness it rates between 6.5 and 7.5...This strength makes it viable for more than just ornamental use. It is said that ancient Asia and Southwest America used garnet for bullets. It is recorded that garnets have been used as pellets, shot from bows, by a native group of warriors in India. Today it is used world wide as an abrasive. Garnet coated sandpaper is one such use.
Garnet is actually a group name for the silicate minerals almandine, pyrope, spessartine, grossular, andradite, and uvarovite.
I am GARNET, the talisman of warriors. Knights and soldiers the world over have placed their destiny in my hands, trusting that I would protect them from death and injury and that my presence would bring them swift victories and guarantee them tranquility after battle. Dream of me and I will reveal the answers to your questions. Give me to your loved ones and I will bestow upon them loyalty and affection. -The Vernal Spirit Journey
