Red as a Pomegranate Seed

By: Jeffrey M. Bertman Graduate Gemologist If you’re curious where January’s birthstone got its name, “garnet” is derived from the Latin “granatus” (grain), which is most likely a reference to a pomegranate seed. One look at garnet’s deep red hue immediately tells you why the link is so apt. This blood-red gemstone seems to pump with life, quickly animating any piece of jewelry that it is chosen to grace. While gemstone garnet also comes in green, yellow, and orange, red is the preferred color, as well as the one chosen to represent January’s birthstone. Further enhancing the beautiful red gemstone’s look is its unique crystal structure, called “rhombic dodecahedron,” which is a 12-sided shape with diamond-shaped faces. No other gemstone has as individual a crystal structure. Garnet’s virtues have been long believed to include passion, true friendship, fidelity, success, self-esteem, loyalty, devotion, energy, faith, consistency, and truth. Along with the Garnet being the birthstone for January it is the stone that celebrates the 2nd anniversary of marriage. Come into our store located at 1402 Hancock Street, Quincy Center. Or reach us at 617-773-3636.