COLLECTION
January Birthstone: Garnet
The January birthstone is garnet, a deep red gemstone that traditionally stands for loyalty and constancy. Here you'll find garnet jewelry from By Carola, handmade in 14K gold-filled or 925 sterling silver. For a similarly deep red, take a look at ruby, the July stone.
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More birthstone jewelry
Pieces in similar colors from other months, each one handmade.
All birthstone necklaces
Garnet, the January birthstone
Garnet is not a single mineral but a whole group. Best known is the deep red of almandine and pyrope, which comes from iron in the crystal. But garnet comes in almost every color, from orange hessonite to green tsavorite. Only blue is very rare.
Meaning and tradition
The name comes from the Latin granatum, pomegranate, because small red garnets look like its seeds. Since antiquity, garnet has been seen as a stone of loyalty and friendship. In the Middle Ages, travelers carried it as a companion on long journeys. To this day it is a popular gift for anyone born in January.
A genuine stone
Every garnet at By Carola is a genuine stone, not glass. The product page shows size, material and chain length at a glance.
Shape, size and material
At By Carola you wear garnet as a cut cylinder of about 10 mm. The chain runs directly through the stone, with no setting at all. You choose between 14K gold-filled and 925 sterling silver and between 40 and 45 cm (15.7 and 17.7 in). Gold-filled carries a much thicker layer of gold than gold-plated jewelry and therefore lasts much longer.
Care
With a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5, garnet is fine for everyday wear. Take the necklace off before sports, keep perfume and lotion away from it, and store it dry and on its own. Pendant and chain are water-resistant.
January birthstone for Capricorn and Aquarius
If you were born in January, you are a Capricorn up to 20 January and an Aquarius from 21 January. The birthstone follows the month, not the zodiac sign. So for both signs in January, garnet is the matching stone. A Capricorn born in December wears turquoise, an Aquarius born in February wears amethyst. All signs are listed in the guide under Birthstones by zodiac sign.
Garnet at a glance
| Mineral | Garnet group (silicates) |
|---|---|
| Color | mostly dark red, also orange, green, violet |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 6.5 to 7.5 |
| Main sources | India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Kenya, Brazil |
| Birth month | January |
| Zodiac signs | Capricorn, Aquarius |
Continue to February: Amethyst or back to December: Turquoise. You'll find every piece under Birthstone Jewelry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the January birthstone?
The January birthstone is garnet. Usually this means deep red garnet, but it comes in many colors.
What does garnet mean?
By tradition, garnet stands for loyalty, friendship and constancy. In the Middle Ages it was considered a companion for travelers. This meaning is based on tradition.
Is the garnet at By Carola genuine?
Yes. Every stone is a genuine garnet, not glass.
Which birthstone suits Capricorn and Aquarius?
If you were born in January, your birthstone is garnet, whether you are a Capricorn or an Aquarius. The stone follows the month.
Is a garnet necklace a good gift for a January birthday?
Yes. The birthstone makes the necklace personal. On request, a gift note is included free of charge.
