Ah January; a fresh start to a new year! A time to reflect on the previous year and make changes to make this one better than the last. We set our New Year’s resolutions and create those changes we wish we did the year before. Whether that goal is eating healthier, being a kinder person, or even treating yourself, we aim to accomplish those goals in 2019. We will have a fresh start and a better outlook going into January with a new found energy that escaped us in 2018. What better fitting birthstone to match with this month’s theme, the garnet, known as the energizer.

January Birthstone:

Garnet

Associated with the First Chakra, garnet is the stone of physical love and relationships, and a spiritual stone of psychic protection. January is the first month of the new year, and garnet is the first birthstone, called the “gem of wealth,” and is said to entrust someone with eternal happiness, health, and prosperities. The garnet stone itself is also believed to remove any negativity within the wearer and replace it with only positive changes. It is thought to increase both self-confidence and perseverance. Interestingly, despite these other characteristics, garnets are said to bring bad fortune to anyone involved in theft and deceit. The stone will bring terrible luck upon its wearer unless it is returned to its rightful owner. As long as you stick to your New Year’s resolutions about being a better person, the garnet will only be a positive influence for your life. The beautiful hue of garnet replenishes our lives and gives us that extra zest to begin the new year with the right foot forward!

Fun Facts:

–History lesson:

~The meaning for garnet is rooted in ancient history coming from the Latin word ‘granatum’, which means pomegranate, a reference to its intense red color that resembles the glistening, deep red seeds of the fruit.

~The garnet is so durable, remnants of garnet jewelry can be found as far back as the Bronze Age.

–It’s more than just a pretty gemstone:

~In the past 150 years, garnets have been put to the test as an effective industrial mineral.

~In the United States, it’s been utilized for waterjet cutting, abrasive blasting, and filtration, too.

–Contrary to popular belief, garnet comes in a variety of colors besides dark red:

~Pyrope and almandine species range in color from purple to orange-red, known as the mozambique and rhodolite garnets, and the most popular garnets.

~Spessartine species is found in a variety of orange colors, named the spessartite garnet, while andradite comes in yellow and yellowish green.

~Grossularite has perhaps the widest color range of any garnet species, from colorless through yellow to orange-red, but most commonly is a strong, vibrant green, known as the tsavorite.

~Therefore, you can find a garnet (energizer), for any occasion!