ahead_timeLooking into history, the biblical Noah allegedly guided the ark using a glowing garnet lantern, and garnet jewelry was adorned by the ancient Egyptians as long ago as 3100 B.C. As the birthstone for January, its deep red coloration is a well-known sight in many items of jewelry. Nonetheless, it isn't commonly known that garnet actually comes in a varied assortment of different colors such as pink, green, yellow, orange and brown.
A Few Garnet Facts
The word for garnet derives from the Latin word for seed-like, as early scientists thought the red garnet crystals resembled pomegranate seeds – a good description. Garnets have long been related to friendship and gifting someone a piece of garnet jewelry was a token of affection and good wishes.
Rating a 6.5 to 7 on the scientific Mohs hardness scale, the garnet is a hearty gem that is acceptable for every day wear. However, it should be stored separately from harder gems such as diamonds and sapphires to avoid getting scratched. Also, care should be taken to not expose the garnet to abrupt temperature changes because the stone could crack.
Gift Suggestions for Garnet Jewelry
Along with being the monthly birthstone for January, the garnet is also the gem for the 2nd wedding anniversary. An eternity ring with a mix of garnets and diamonds makes a fine present from husband to wife to acknowledge this special day.
Garnet studded earrings or a tear drop necklace for a woman look beautiful against formal evening wear, but may also be worn to enhance more casual clothing if such a look is preferred. A small garnet enclosed in a silver or gold heart or cross form would make the perfect birthstone present for a young girl born in January. A ring with a wide gold (or silver) band and a garnet in the middle can be given to a man either as a birthday present or some other occasion where family or friendship is being acknowledged.
Make certain the gift is offered in an elegant manner such as a wooden box lined with velvet and wrapped in glossy paper with a decorative bow.
The Best Method for Cleaning Garnet Jewelry
Cleansing garnets or any other june birthstone jewelry is straightforward. Let the piece soak for about 15 to 20 minutes in warm water along with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub off dirt and rinse thoroughly in cool water. The jewelry item can either be patted dry with a filament-free material or just left to air dry.
At particularly a young age most of us learn what our birthstone is either from seeing a list at a jewellery store or being given a gift featuring our birthstone. However, though we may be very much familiar with our birthstone most of us do not even know the history of the birthstone jewellery and how each of the gemstone came to be assigned a birth month to represent.
Many jewellery historians agree that the birthstone jewellery seems to have its origin roots in the biblical story of the Moses brother Aaron who was given a breastplate with twelve embedded stones when he was named the high priest. In the holy Bible, each of these twelve gemstones is said to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Exodus 28:15-30 actually lists out the twelve gemstones that were used in the high priests breastplate and these may or may not have been the twelve original birthstones. However, its highly likely that even though the names were the same for the birthstones themselves were of different stones.
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