There was a time when it was fashionable to wear the birthstone of the month whether or not it was your own. I love that idea. So, it's January: let's all wear garnet! And if you were born in January, wear more garnet. Everyone is practically celebrating with you.
Most people picture a rich, royal red when they hear garnet. And for good reason—that deep red is beautiful in the middle of winter. But garnet isn't just one color or even one mineral. It's a family of gemstones with an extraordinary range of natural colors.
What color is January's birthstone?
Red is the traditional January favorite, but garnets also occur in warm orange, raspberry pink, purplish red, yellow-green and vivid green. Green tsavorite is one especially striking variety; rhodolite often has those juicy pink-to-purple tones. Even color-changing garnets exist. So if red isn't your thing, don't write off your birthstone just yet.
Why I love garnet in handmade jewelry
My favorite combination is a warm garnet against blackened sterling silver with touches of yellow gold. The contrast makes the gemstone seem to glow from within. It feels dramatic, a little antique, and completely at home in January.
Of course, garnet can look just as beautiful in a simpler setting. A rose-cut raspberry garnet has an entirely different personality from a deep, ember-colored hessonite. That's what makes designing with natural stones so interesting.
Garnet jewelry from my studio
Here are a few garnet pieces currently available from Mettle by Abby. Each is handmade and one of a kind, so the selection changes as pieces find their homes.
Explore the January birthstone collection →
A few fascinating garnet facts
- Garnet gets its name from a word associated with pomegranate seeds—a fitting comparison for its classic red shades.
- Garnet jewelry has a long history, including examples dating to antiquity.
- Garnet is used as an industrial abrasive as well as a gemstone.
- It's traditionally associated with second wedding anniversaries.
- Many garnets are sold untreated, though treatments and disclosures should always be assessed stone by stone.
- Garnets were especially popular in Victorian-era jewelry.
Want a different shade of garnet?
You're not limited to the stones pictured here. If you're drawn to wine red, glowing orange, raspberry pink, or unexpected green, tell me what colors you love. I can curate a selection of natural gemstones as the starting point for a custom design.
