By her who in this month is born
No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.
— Gregorian birthstone poem
Garnet is the most widely accepted birthstone for January. Garnet is the traditional as well as the modern January birthstone. Garnet was also consistently designated as the gemstone for January in the ancient Roman, Italian, Polish, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic and old Hindu (Ayurvedic) calendars. Before the gemstone was made the birthstone of January, garnet was the zodiac stone for Capricorn and Aquarius, both falling partly on the month of January.
Garnet is a valuable gemstone cherished since antiquity. While most expensive in its green variety called demantoid, garnet is most commonly a red gemstone. Accordingly the color of garnet regarded as stone for January is the red garnet, which comes from several garnet species, namely, almandine, pyrope, spessartine, andradite and grossular. This January gemstone is believed to bestow strength and protection. The January stone is also regarded as a symbol of friendship, exchanged between friends to express affection, and in the hope that they would meet again in the future.
My favorite style. stackable. Cross my fingers I didn't lie about a ruby one. (below)
