Garnet

Garnet is the name of a group of silicates. The most popular are pyrope and almandine, which produce the familiar deep red gemstone. January’s birthstone is enjoying increased popularity as more colors have been discovered in the last few decades. Garnet is now found in every color but blue. Other popular colors include purplish-pink rhodolite, bright green tsavorite, and the warm oranges of hessonite and spessartite. Garnets are found in Alaska, the southwestern U.S., Russia, Africa and India. Garnet is an excellent balancer and is thought to bring peace and solitude to the wearer.