The six families of garnets are silicate materials of different chemical composition, although they retain a similar physical appearance. Garnets range in hardness from a 6.5 to a 7.5 on the Mohs scale (1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest), making them suitable for daily wear in rings and other jewelry pieces.

Traditionally associated with a deep red hue, garnets occur in almost every color including orange, purple, brown, and black, with the rarest being a brilliant green. These enchanting pigments are left untreated and a garnet’s color is always natural.

Particularly favored back in the Roman Empire and used in Victorian jewelry, garnets were believed to stimulate business success and symbolize trust and friendship. The name derives from the Greek word “granatum,” meaning pomegranate seeds, because of its reflective shape and color.

Popularly identified as January’s birthstone, garnets are also gifted for the 2^nd and 19^th wedding anniversary. Show your January baby a commitment that will last the whole year ahead with a breathtaking piece of vintage garnet jewelry in our San Diego showroom!