At one time it may have seemed rare to find anyone claiming garnet as their favorite stone (it can be tough to compete with the likes of opal and tourmaline), but January’s birthstone is chock-full of surprises.
Take, for instance, garnet’s most abundant hues: sometimes a rusty brown-red, other times a sweet cranberry—appealing on many levels, though not as universally pleasing as a genial shade of blue.
But with the rise of interest in vintage and antique jewelry, a thirst for garnet comes too. Rich with history, the gem in its common red has noted appearances dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome (today’s antiques hunters won’t come across many items from that time period, but Victorian jewelry is a prime era for garnet).
English ring in 18k yellow gold with garnets and diamonds, $825; Ashley ZhangBracelet in 18k yellow gold with garnet beads, $475; LagosRound ring in 18k yellow gold with 8.06 cts. t.w. garnets, $550; TrésorBee ring in 18k green gold with rhodolite garnet, $2,900; Alison NagasueCoa ring in 14k yellow gold with garnets and champagne diamonds, $3,250; ITA
So popular is garnet’s red (its name originates from the Latin granatus, which means “pomegranate”) that it might surprise the average consumer to know they could nearly make a rainbow with all of the colors the stone has to offer.
Earrings in platinum with cultured Tahitian pearls, 153 cts. t.w. color-change garnets, and 2.36 cts. t.w. diamonds, price on request; AssaelOtto ring in 14k rose gold with baguette-cut rhodolite garnets, $2,275; Jolly BijouSunset pendant in 18k yellow gold with natural red and orange garnets, $1,970; Sanaz DoostStrata ring in 18k yellow gold with Malayan garnets, $2,500; Rush Jewelry DesignTeardrop pendant in sterling silver with tsavorite garnet, £290 ($350); Naomi TraczLola triple ring in 18k yellow gold with 2.07 cts. t.w. tsavorite garnets and 1.6 cts. t.w. diamonds, $11,050; Melissa KayeTriple Threat ring in platinum and 18k yellow gold with 9.69 cts. t.w. tsavorite garnets, price on request; Rahaminov
For those who do gravitate toward cooler colors, tsavorite is an irresistible, piercing shade of green. Equally irresistible and rarer is the demantoid, a springy variation of garnet that skews to the lighter side of green.
Bombé ring in 18k yellow gold with 2 ct. spessartite garnet, orange-peach sapphires, custom-cut half-moon, and brilliant diamonds, $6,920; Kelty PelechytikCannelé cabochon ring in 18k yellow gold with mandarin garnet and diamonds, $2,800; Andrew GeogheganRing in 18k yellow gold with 2.02 ct. mandarin garnet, $3,700; Emily KuvinJumbo Sweetheart ring in 18k yellow gold with 2.5 ct. mandarin garnet and 1.25 cts. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Gemella
Then there’s spessartite—orange—and take note of the current belle of the ball, rhodolite, an excellent display of Pantone’s Viva Magenta that promises to be lively through 2023 and beyond.
Namibia toi et moi ring in 18k yellow gold with Malaya garnet and topaz, $4,995; Chroma by G. StRevelry ring in 18k yellow gold with emerald-cut garnet and 0.44 ct. t.w. diamonds, $2,190; Brilliant EarthImpetus interlocking puzzle ring in 14k yellow gold with heart-shape garnet, $8,430; RetrouvaíSloane ring in 18k yellow gold with 9.5 ct. heart-shape garnet and 0.85 ct. t.w. diamonds, $16,500; Briony Raymond
Those born in January may have to contend with the post-holiday slump and often chilly weather, but they certainly have it all when it comes to their birthstone.
Top: Ava one-of-a-kind ring in 18k rose gold with 1.57 ct. rhodolite garnet and 0.26 ct. t.w. tanzanite, $3,050; Laura Gallon
