Garnet is the official birthstone of January!ย ย When most peopleย think of garnet in relation to antique jewelry, they think of 19th-century Bohemian Garnet jewelry.ย These stones were so widely used then that, by the 20th century, it seems garnet had lost a bit of its luster.ย ย In the last few years, though, prices have skyrocketed on theseย Victorian treasures.
And why shouldn’t they?ย Throughout history, garnets have been believed to cure depression, protect against bad dreams, relieve inflammations of the skin, regulate bloodflow… they are even suspected to “heal the bond of broken or distanced lovers.” So if your loved one is going away on a long trip, garnet is the jewel to gift them.
When Did Garnet Become Januaryโs Birthstone?
The tradition of assigning specific stones to each month has deep biblical and historical roots, but garnetโs connection to January became official in the early 20th century. The modern birthstone list, first standardized by the American National Retail Jewelers Association in 1912, firmly placed garnet as Januaryโs gem.
Before then, birthstones often varied by culture and region, with garnet sometimes appearing in European and Russian charts for its warming color and protective symbolism during the coldest month of the year.
Alternate January Birthstones
Most months have more than one birthstone. June, for example, is often linked to pearl, moonstone, or alexandrite. January is different. Across old and modern charts alike, garnet appears again and again, making it one of the most consistently recognized birthstones of all.
