fashion n trends

All through the ages of time, Garnet Jewellery of Garnet Rings, Garnet Earrings and Garnet Pendants, have been used as a charm of faith and truth. They are the birthstone for the month of January, and are used for any type of 2nd anniversary. They were used to guide Noah and his Ark through danger in the floods.

Garnets Poem

"By her who is this month was born

No gem save garnets shall be worn

They will ensure her constancy

True friendship and fidelity."

The various types of garnet gemstone available are known as Almandite, Andradite, Cachemirine, Grape, Grossular, Imperial, Malaya, Mandarin, Mozambique, Pyrope, Rhodolite, Spessartine and Umbalite, and range in colour from rich red to bright orange and even lime green. Researchers can calculate where exactly specific examples are mined, from due to the amount of heat that a stone has endured, after volcanic eruption has taken place in that area.

Garnet History Through Time

All from the beginning of time, the garnet has been linked to so many legends and possible myths.

Garnets were once mistaken for rubies, and have always been associated with the ability to keep away evil spirits and evil thoughts. Various Royal families have loved them, from Russian Czars to Mary Queen of Scots, and also Queen Victoria. The Crusading Knights of St.John were thought to have been given them by loved ones to ensure they are kept safe in battle and that they would return home un-harmed. A local rebellion by Indian Kashmir tribes was fought with them using bullets made of garnet because they would cause greater harm to the English enemy.

Greek Times:

Around 400 years before the birth of Christ, jewellery was first thought to be manufactured in Greece. Greta examples of a sort of signet ring have been linked to this time containing this stone, and this Greek people have loved garnets ever since these times with great affinity. These were also the first peoples to derive a classification for all the members of the garnet family.

Egyptian Times:

Garnets and garnet jewellery was buried in tombs of Pharaohs, so as to guide them with their mystical lights through the underworld after their death. They were found in various types of jewellery throughout Egypt from as far back as approximately 3120 BC.

Biblical History:

In the Old Testament it is said that the mystical lights offered by garnets, were utilised by Noah as he set sail in the ark to guide him. The breastplate of the high priest Aaron was made containing 12 of these gems by Moses around the mid 1200 BC. It is was brought about by the instructions God gave him during his forty days and nights in the wilderness. One of the 12 stones that were chosen in the year 1300 BC to represent the 12 tribes of Israel, was the garnet. It was chosen to represent the tribe known as Judah, one of the sons of Jacob. These links to the number twelve are thought to be the reason why garnet was then (and now) used to represent one of the original twelve monthly birthstones. The armies of King Solomon also used the garnet to keep them safe during battle.

The Middle Ages and Mediaeval Times:

During these times the gemstone was used to fight off various diseases and infections of the blood stream, and it was used to prevent poisoning and from being bitten by poisonous animals. Doctors of the days always carried with them many garnets, in order to aid these treatments when necessary. During these times it was linked to many spiritual and astrological beliefs, as well as the healing by use of crystals.

Summary

Many of the beliefs and functions that have been attributed to this gemstone, have been and still are used by many people up to present times. many different forms and designs of jewellery have been set with this gem, with some very ornate and spectacular examples that originated from the Victorian's and Edwardian's, still available and poplar today.

Many thanks for finding the time to read my short insight in to the garnet, I hope you found it interesting.