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While especially known for their rich, purple-red color, garnets actually come in the following hues: red, purple, green, yellow, orange, brown, black, and even colorless. In the 1990's, blue garnets were manufactured in Madagascar, although these stones are incredibly rare. Brilliant, colorful and durable, garnets have been found on every continent, but most are mined in Southeast Asia, Brazil and Africa.
Traced back to the Bronze Age, garnet would find prominence in Egyptian decoration, Greek jewelry, and in the Bible. Garnet has become the birthstone for the month of January.
Since the Middle Ages, garnet has been associated with powerful properties of healing, strength, and protection. It was used to alleviate skin inflammations, heart and blood flow irregularities, and ward off depression. To give someone a garnet before they travel signifies an insurance that they will be safe in their travels and return in good health.
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