Garnet was named by the ancient Greeks because the color reminded them of the “granatum,” or pomegranate seed. Noah used Garnet’s inner fire as a lamp on his bow as he cast about on the ocean. Garnet traces its roots as a gemstone to the Nile Delta in 3100 B.C., where Egyptian artisans crafted it into beads or inlaid it into hand-wrought jewelry.

The versatile Garnet comes in a virtual rainbow of colors, from the deep red Pyrope Garnet to the vibrant greens of the Russian Demantoid and African Tsavorite. The oranges and browns of Spessartite and Hessonite hail from Namibia and Sri Lanka and the subtle pinks and purples of the Rhodolite, named after the rhododendron flower, are also yours to explore.

Garnet is the traditional birthstone for the month of January, however, red need not be your color of choice if you are born in this month. Rich orange and golden hues, striking greens, petal soft colors of violet and lavender, all await your selection.