Garnet is January's birthstone, a luxurious dark red gemstone that stands out brilliantly against January's stark winter landscape. While that deep wine red is a colour most people associate with garnets, they have far more than one pretty face.
What are garnets?
Garnets are not just a single mineral. Garnets are a group of minerals that have similar crystal structures, and they come in a variety of colours. In addition to the iconic dark wine red, garnets can be found in oranges, reds, browns, and even yellows and greens.
This garnet and smoky quartz beaded necklace features small, round garnet and smoky quartz beads, dotted with small silver glass beads. The garnet beads are a deep red color and have a polished finish, while the smoky quartz beads are clear with a smoky grey color with a polished finish. The pendant is a cluster of the same garnet and smoky quartz stones and silver glass seed beads. This necklace is lightweight and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Closes securely with a lobster clasp. Measures 17 inches in length.
Garnets are the birthstone for the month of January! Treat yourself, or gift your favourite January birthday person with this bold but delicate necklace.
★ Handcrafted
★ Genuine smoky quartz and garnet gemstone beads
★ January birthstone
★ Made in Canada
★ Materials: Garnet beads, smoky quartz beads, glass beads, silver plated twisted ring, silver plated lobster clasp and findings.
See our full selection of necklaces: Necklaces
Drakestail Jewellery is committed to making beautiful, wearable art that accentuates your personal style. If you have any questions or would like to make a request, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will do everything we can to make you happy!
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Most common types of garnets
Almandine is deep red, tending towards purple. It is the most common type of garnet, used both as a gemstone and industrial abrasive.
Pyrope is bright red to deep purplish-red. It is popular as a gemstone, and was especially in Victorian jewelry. It’s the only member of the garnet family to always be a shade of red.
Spessartine (Spessartite) garnets are orange to reddish-orange, sometimes brownish-red. They are valuable as a bright gemstone.
Grossular garnets range in colour from colourless, pale green, yellow, brown, to orange. It includes gemstone varieties like tsavorite (green) and hessonite (orange).
Andradite garnets occur in yellow-green, green, brown, and black. It includes gemstone varieties like demantoid (green).
Garnets three ways: Hessonite, tsavorite, and almandine. (private collection)
Garnets in Canada
Ontario: Garnets are commonly found in the Grenville geological province, especially in the Bancroft area and near the town of Eganville. The region is particularly known for red almandine and pyrope garnets.
Quebec: The Eastern Townships and the Laurentians host garnets in schist and gneiss rocks.
British Columbia: Some garnets are found in the metamorphic rocks of the Kootenay and Okanagan regions.
Yukon and Northwest Territories: Garnets are found in kimberlite pipes (sometimes associated with diamonds), and in other metamorphic rocks.
Newfoundland and Labrador: The island hosts several occurrences, particularly in metamorphic rock formations.
This nature-inspired necklace features grassy green garnet (aka tsavorite garnet) tubes and glassy clear quartz chips. The centerpiece of this necklace is a deep green moss agate heart with quartz crystal inclusions. The pendant's dark mossy green colour with the crystal inclusions reminds us that beneath winter's icy chill, the green of spring is waiting.
This springtime necklace is a perfect gift to celebrate the spring equinox and the end of winter! This is also a great present for the January birthday person in your life, as garnet is January's birthstone!
Completing this handcrafted necklace is a durable silver lobster clasp. This piece is one of a kind, so get it before it's gone!
★ Handcrafted
★ Genuine gemstone beads
★ Lobster clasp
★ Made in Canada
★ Materials: green garnet beads, clear quartz chip beads, moss agate heart pendant, glass beads; silver plated lobster clasp & hardware
See our full selection of necklaces: Necklaces
Drakestail Jewellery is committed to making beautiful, wearable art that accentuates your personal style. If you have any questions or would like to make a request, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will do everything we can to make you happy!
Garnet Fun Facts
The name "garnet" comes from the Middle English "gernet", meaning "dark red."
Not just for January birthdays, garnets are also the traditional gemstone for second wedding anniversaries!
These swingy garnet drop earrings feature small, round garnet beads, accented with small silver glass beads. The garnet beads are a deep red color and have a polished finish. The earrings are petite and lightweight, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Garnets are the birthstone for the month of January! Treat yourself, or gift your favourite January birthday person with these deep red drop earrings.
The shepherd hook ear wires are surgical steel.
★ Handcrafted
★ Genuine garnet gemstone beads
★ Surgical steel ear wires
★ Made in Canada
★ Materials: Garnet gemstone beads, glass beads; surgical steel ear wires, silver plated findings.
Drakestail Jewellery is committed to making beautiful, wearable art that accentuates your personal style. If you have any questions or would like to make a request, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will do everything we can to make you happy!
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrakestailJewellery
Find us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/Drakestail
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/Drakestail
Interested in more birthstone lore? Read our article on all the birthstones and where they come from!