Garnet
Symbol: Protection
Garnet isn't a single mineral but a family of closely related silicate minerals that share the same crystal structure. Depending on which trace elements are present during formation, garnet can appear deep red, orange, green, or even color-changing. Its name comes from the Latin granatus, meaning "seed-like," after its resemblance to pomegranate seeds.
Where It Comes From
Garnet has been used since the Bronze Age, often as inlay and trade beads carried along ancient routes. Today it's mined in India, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Tanzania, Brazil, and Russia.
What Different Peoples Believed
| People | What It Symbolized |
|---|---|
| Ancient Egypt | Inlaid in jewelry buried with the dead as a symbol of life force. |
| Ancient Rome | Carved into signet rings used to stamp official documents and seal letters. |
| Medieval Europe | Carried by travelers, believed to light the way on night journeys. |
Birth Month
Garnet is the official birthstone for January.