Garnet - January Birthstone
The garnet at its best is a deep, rich red
or purple-red although they come in practically every color except
blue. They range from pale orange to dark red and violet.
Early scientists named the stone
from the Latin granatus, which means "seed like," because
garnet crystals in a rock reminded them of the shape and color of
pomegranate seeds. The garnet was known thousands of years before
the Christian era and in ancient writings is probably mentioned
as ruby or carbuncle. The latter term is still applied to the red
garnet cut in the cabochon form.
Not only was the garnet regarded
as the gem of faith, constancy, and truth, but it was believed also
to possess many curative powers. At one time it was ground into
a powder and used as a poultice, for red garnet was said to relieve
fever, and yellow garnet was the prescription for jaundice.
Asians used garnets as bullets
in the belief that their strong red color would inflict a deadly
wound. Such bullets were used in India in 1892 during a rebellion.
Many garnet missiles were kept as curiosities. This use has also
been mentioned in stories of Indian wars in the Southwest.
As an amulet, it was very much
favored by travelers, for it was said to protect and preserve honor
and health, cure the wearer of all diseases and guard him against
perils during a journey. All these powers were said to double for
people born in January.
The garnet is the fourth stone
in Aaron's breastplate, and its ruddy warmth and brightness are
so great that Noah was supposed to have lighted the ark with its
light. Christian tradition considered the blood-red garnet symbolic
of Christ's sacrifice and in the Koran it illuminates the fourth
heaven. The Egyptians wore garnets as talismans, too, and the Aztecs
offered them as tributes to the gods. The Greeks, as long ago as
500 B.C., were the first to use garnets as signet rings.
Because the color of the garnet
has long been associated with blood, it was considered an incomparable
cure for all disorders of the blood. Since anger causes the face
to flush, the garnet was used as a charm against the effects of
anger and was said to be a calming influence and even a remedy for
mental instability. Soldiers in combat wore garnets for protection
against battle wounds.
The most expensive garnet is
the brilliant green variety called demantoid (diamond like), which
approaches emerald shade and exceeds the diamond in fire or dispersion.
The finest of these garnets, which are quite rare, are found in
the Ural Mountains.
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