The garnet, January’s birthstone, lights up the cold with its warmth

The new year brings a beautiful stone to celebrate January birthdays. The garnet, January’s birthstone, gets its name from the Latin for “pomegranate,” a nod to its rich wine color. It’s been found in Egyptian jewelry, Roman signet rings, and medieval nobles had a preference for the stone. Here’s some background on the garnet.

• There’s more to it than just red. You may be most familiar with the deep-red garnet, but the gem actually comes in a range of colors from amber and orange to green and purple (pretty much every color except blue). Some stones even change color in different lights.

• Healing properties—strength and protection. Garnets are believed to bring a triple play of benefits: good health, wealth, and happiness. It’s said to balance energy and is considered a lucky stone for love, success, and for business relationships.

• Different colors have different names. A rare green stone, tsavorite, needs unusual rock chemistries and special conditions to form. spessartine is an orange garnet, and rhodolite is a beautiful purple-red garnet.

• Caring for your garnet jewelry. Garnets are relatively hard, rating 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. According to the GIA, this makes them more susceptible to damage than rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. But this stone is a good choice for brooches and earrings. Keep your jewelry sparkling with warm, soapy water and a soft brush.

• How to buy your garnet. Color, according to the GIA, is the #1 factor in choosing a garnet. Make sure it’s vibrant and highly saturated, no matter what shade it is. Check with your jeweler to see if there are any unusual colors, like purple. Red garnets should be clear; orange garnets may have some visible inclusions.

Happy January birthday! Enjoy your beautiful garnet necklaces, brooches, and rings in whatever shade strikes your fancy. And don’t forget to get a professional appraisal for your new—and heirloom—jewelry so you can protect its value with the right insurance coverage. Call me at 617-304-0174 to set up an appointment.

Brilliantly yours, Aimee