On average, about 8% of babies born in the United States annually are born the first month of every year. These January babies are lucky enough to call Garnet their birthstone. Garnet is most commonly seen in the color red, but one thing a lot of people don't know about Garnet is that it is available in a wide variety of colors.
Gemstone: Garnet
Mineral: Garnet family
Hardness: 6.5-7.5
Tsavorite, the green variation of Garnet, is very rare and tends to be more expensive than other colors of Garnet. It gets its name from the location in Kenya in which it was discovered, Tsavo National Park. Tiffany & Co. was the first company to utilize the stone extensively in their designs, launching a marketing campaign about the gem three years after its discovery.
Spessartite, also known as Mandarin Garnet, is the orange variation of the birthstone. This variation of Garnet is absolutely stunning and ranges from bright orange to red-orange. It has been referred to in folklore as "The Garnet of the Sun"; legends tell of the healing powers of the stone, but I think it's just plain gorgeous!
Rhodalite is the reddish purple variety of Garnet, but I prefer to describe it as the color of red wine. Named after the Greek word meaning "rose-like", everything about this stone screams of romance. Rhodalite looks great set in any metal, but rose gold is my personal preference. It is a more affordable alternative to some of the other Garnets, making it the perfect gift for a loved one without breaking the bank!
Mali Garnet is the last form that I'll talk about. Yellow, greenish-yellow or brownish-yellow in color, Mali garnet is a beautiful, unique stone that you won't see on just anyone. Larger stones of this variation tend to be rare and expensive, so a nice pair of stud earrings are a great option for Mali Garnet to keep your budget in check.
I hope this information shed a little light on the endless possibilities of Garnet jewelry and how lucky all these January babies really are! At Désideria, we are able to create unique, one of a kind pieces around any of these gemstones in virtually any size or price range.
Email me at info@desideriacollection.com for more information on custom designs for your January baby!