The
Garnet gems are often associated with the
January Birthstone. They are usually red, but can be found in a vast array of colors such as green, yellow, and the rare blue. Often Garnets will change appearance depending on the lighting. Garnets symbolize a variety of events, and not just birth stones. In fact Garnets are recognized around the world as
New York's gemstone, and Connecticut's state mineral. It's also commonly a symbol for a 2nd-Anniversary. Garnet stones have many species which include Almandine, Pyrope, Spessartine, Andradite, Grossular, Uvarovite, and Knorringite.
As well as being used in an array of jewelry items, the Garnet also has industrial uses. The gem by nature is a very abrasive substance when ground in to sand. It's starting to replace silica sand which is used in sand blasting. It's so abrasive it has the power to cut through steal when mixed with water at high speeds. Each region of Garnets varies in abrasiveness, and currently the best and most widely available areas are Australian and Indian coastlines. These areas are well known for huge amounts of clean and reliable gem stones. Other areas are known for their extreme ages such as America, India, and China where the Rock Garnet is mind.
Garnets are fascinating in the fact that they are multiple colors and some even change colors throughout the day! The color will depend on the light source it's getting. The alexandrite-like color change is one of the best. It changes from a blue green in the morning to a purple in the evening.
