The vibrant gemstone Garnet is the birthstone for January and the gem for those celebrating a second wedding anniversary. An energising stone, it comes in a vast array of beautiful colours. Rich red garnets are seen most often, hence the name 'garnet' - it originates from the medieval Latin 'granatus' meaning 'pomegranate seed' in reference to the similarity of the red colour.

Garnet varieties are found all over the world, in countries such as Brazil, India, Kenya and South Africa. Due to the similarity of colour, the garnet stone is sometimes mistaken for ruby. There are differences which help distinguish the two gemstones. For instance, a garnet is a softer stone in comparison to ruby. Ruby displays exceptional hardness (it is second to diamond, the hardest stone of all). This hardness makes ruby a great choice for everyday jewellery such as an engagement ring. A garnet is not as tough as ruby (although it isn't as delicate as a pearl or opal) and can be worn often, albeit with some care.

Care and cleaning of your garnet jewellery: Always remove a garnet ring when playing sports, going to the gym or doing household tasks. Make sure to keep it away from harsh chemicals like perfume, makeup removers, hairspray and household cleaners. To clean garnet at home, soak your jewellery in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. Using a soft toothbrush, gently clean the piece of garnet jewellery, then rinse it with clear water to remove all of the soapy residue and pat it dry with a clean towel. To store your garnet jewellery safely, wrap it in a soft cloth, separate from other jewellery to avoid scratching.

If you are seeking a special piece of garnet jewellery contact us here, if we don't have it we may be able to make it for you.