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Garnet Gemstone is the birthstone for
the month of January and the traditional anniversary gemstone for
the second year of marriage. Archaeologists have found primitive
Garnet Gemstone jewelry among the graves of lake dwellers which
dates the use of this popular gemstone to the Bronze age.
Today Garnet Gemstones are mined in Brazil, India, Madagascar,
India, Siberia, Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United States.
Not all Garnet Gemstone are of gem quality. "Raw" Garnet Gemstone
makes a very effective abrasive and used commercially for grinding
and polishing. Believe it or not, garnet-coated sandpaper is popular
for industrial use.
Garnet Gemstones are extremely diverse and offer enough variety in
appearance (and color) to suit
every taste. Although you may think of Garnet Gemstone as a red gem,
the truth is that the garnet
family of gemstones comes in a broad spectrum of colors, except
blue.
Garnet Gemstone of muted yellows, vibrant oranges, rosy pinks, lime
greens, and violets are all part this gemstone's rainbow of hues.
Look at the seeds of a pomegranate and you'll immediately understand
how the word "garnet" was
derived from the Latin word "granatus," meaning "grain" or "seed."
Garnet earned its name because
of its close resemblance to the succulent red pomegranate seed.
Legends, myths, and traditions abound when it comes to Garnet
Gemstone. It is believed to be one
of the 12 gemstones in Aaron's breastplate in the many faiths claim
that Noah hung a large red Garnet Gemstone in the ark for illumination. In the Koran, garnets
are believed to illuminate the
Fourth Heaven of the Moslems.
A gift of Garnet Gemstone is thought to be symbolic of love and the
desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming. | 
