January Birthstone
Garnet
Traditional birthstone for January
- Color
- Most often deep red; garnets also occur in orange, green (such as tsavorite and demantoid), purple and other colors.
- Hardness (Mohs scale)
- 6.5 – 7.5 (varies by garnet species)
Meaning & history
The name is traditionally linked to the Latin granatum, for pomegranate, because small red garnet crystals resemble its seeds. Garnets have been used in jewelry for thousands of years, and by tradition the stone was carried by travelers as a symbol of protection and safe return.
Folklore and symbolism are shared here as tradition, not as fact or as health claims.
Care tips
Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Garnet is reasonably durable for everyday wear, but avoid hard knocks and sudden temperature changes.
Design ideas
- A garnet solitaire or three-stone ring
- A pomegranate-inspired cluster pendant
- January stones in a mother's ring or family band
- Garnet accents in a push present marking a winter birth
Imagining something with garnet? Let's design it together.
Design with garnet