The word Garnet comes from the Latin word “granatum” which means “seed like” in reference to pomegranate.

Garnet is the traditional birthstone of those born in January.

Most garnet found near Earth's surface forms when a sedimentary rock with a high aluminum content, such as shale, is subjected to heat and pressure intense

 enough to produce schist or gneiss. Garnet is also found in the rocks of contact metamorphism, subsurface magma chambers, lava flows, deep-source volcanic eruptions, and the soils and sediments formed when garnet-bearing rocks are weathered and eroded.

 “Bohemia, now a part of Czechoslovakia, was once a tremendous source of garnet, and at one time, cutting, polishing, and mounting garnets was a very rich industry in that country. Many Bohemian castles and churches had magnificent interiors decorated with garnet. Bohemian garnets are famous even today, known for their small but beautiful stones set close to each other resembling a pomegranate. Garnet jewelry is still found in the Czech Republic, with the stones stellar ranged in the traditional, tightly joined way. This ensures that the attraction of the classical Garnet pieces is caused only by the beauty of its stones. The Anglo-Saxons were also fond of garnets. Their jewelry was set with garnets mounted in many forms.“

 In Egypt more than five thousand years ago, Ancient Egyptians appreciated Garnet fiery beauty. Garnet gemstones were used extensively in jewelry for the pharaohs and were placed in Egyptian tombs to be enjoyed in the afterlife.. 

They were used in Sumeria around 2100 B.C. and in Sweden between 1000 and 2000 B.C. They were also popular in ancientGreek and Roman civilizations, Ancient Romans traded the precious gemstones and carved the red mineral rocks into signet rings used to seal documents. Large garnet rocks were carved out to use as vessels that would hold up to a pint.

According to the Talmud, the only light on Noah's ark was provided by a large Garnet. 

Red garnet gemstones were worn for protection and used as weapons by Asiatic tribes. They believed the garnet color's similarity to the color of blood would protect them from wounds and make their weapons more deadly.

Garnet balances energy, bringing serenity or passion as appropriate, and can inspire love and balance the sex drive. Garnet is considered a lucky stone, for love, success, and for business relationships. It helps you let go of old behaviour patterns and boosts self-confidence.

Garnet is also a known as a Stone of Commitment - to purpose, to others, and to oneself.

Garnet can be your powerful tool to restore the love that’s missing in your relationship.

It has the power to purify the energies in your body by getting rid of the toxins and restoring your body to its revitalized and re-energized state.

Garnet helps to regain the spirit, calming sadness and emotional pain, helping those who have gone through great despair get back on their feet and become seductive again.

Garnet is an excellent gemstone to regulate blood circulation in body. It also cures the blood deficiency and related diseases.

It has the property to reduce the chances of hemorrhages and inflammation while it stimulates the hemoglobin count.

Garnet is an excellent stone for meditation and for attaining cosmic consciousness. It can help you connect with your spirit guide sand tap into higher spiritual energies easier.

Cleaning Garnet:

According to GIA ; Warm soapy water is always safe for cleaning garnets. The ultrasonic cleaner is usually safe except for stonest hat have fractures. Steam cleaning is not recommended.

. Please remember that gemstones are not a substitute for medical advice, you should always talk to your doctor or health providers if you have any medical concerns. 

Hama Sabri 

Calgary 

November 2019 

Sources:

https://www.gemsngems.com/product-category/natural-gemstones/natural-red-garnet/

https://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-encyclopedia/garnet

https://www.jewelsforme.com/garnet-meaning

https://thehealingchest.com/crystals-stones/garnet-meaning/

https://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/garnet/

https://www.minerals.net/mineral/garnet.aspx

https://www.gempundit.com/blog/garnet-benefits/

https://geology.com/minerals/garnet.shtml

https://www.gia.edu/garnet-care-cleaning