Not just your average red stone! This intense red mineral has a long, rich history! Let’s explore some fun facts about this pretty little redhead!
Garnet’s History tidbits:
Garnet means pomegranate seed in Latin!
Over 5000 years ago, Ancient Egyptians revered this fiery beauty and used garnet abundantly in jewelry for the pharaohs. (I own at least 7 pieces with garnet in them! Call me Cleopatra!)
Garnets were buried with high-ranking Egyptians in their tombs to assist with and be enjoyed in the afterlife. (You know my crystals are comin with me!! However and wherever I go!)
Ancient Romans traded precious garnet gemstones and also carved them into signet rings to be used for the sealing of important documents. (I’d bring back this of yore tradition if I could pound my signet garnet ring into hot wax! Send a Raven!)
They carved huge blazing garnet rocks into useful vessels that could hold up to a pint! (Can’t you see yourself sipping a stunning cabernet from a Garnet Goblet?)
Red garnets were considered sacred by African, Aztec, Mayan, Native American and South American Indian tribal leaders…and ME!
In Asia, garnet gemstones were worn for protection and used as weapons by tribesmen. 
They believed the intense red color was similar to the color of blood and would protect them from wounds as well as make their weapons more deadly. Small garnets were launched at their enemies with sling bows and shot from guns like bullets. (I’d much rather take a garnet to the heart than a bullet!)
Red garnets were worn as talismans by the Christians and Muslims during the Crusades for protection.
A red garnet was one of the gemstones that adorned the breastplates of the Hebrew High Priests. (I often wear one in my bra!)
And a large garnet stone is believed to have been used by Noah on the to Ark to light the way in the dark. (Kinda like Rudolph’s nose?)
Garnet’s Metaphysical Healing Properties:
Regeneration · Energizing · Balancing · Self-confidence · Protection · Strength
Garnet’s moniker is “Stone of Health.” It removes and transforms negative energies into positive energies to assist in strengthening and healing the body and mind. Garnet has also been coined the stone of “Successful Business”. Just place 3 or more small garnets around your workspace and watch out world!
Wear a piece of garnet jewelry to help with self-esteem and popularity!
Place a chunk of garnet under your pillow and it will help cure depression.
Carry or wear a piece of garnet when traveling to protect you on your trip.
And garnet can bring constancy to friendships so it’s a great stone to give or receive as a gift.
Garnet Birthstone – January
Garnet is a 2nd Anniversary gemstone
Chakras – Base Chakra, Heart Chakra
Zodiac – Aries, Leo, Virgo
Planet – Mars
Element – Fire
Typical colors – Most often seen in red, but available in virtually all colors, including: pink, green, orange, yellow, brown and black
There you have it! I’d say this blazing beauty is the life of the party with a Hollywood ending!
October symbolizes the fall season and all the wonderful traditions that go with it, but when was the last time you thought about this month’s birthstone? Well if you’re someone like me whose love of gemstones borders on obsession, you think about birthstones quite a bit. October is quickly coming to a close and I didn’t want to lose this opportunity to talk about my beloved opal.
Aztecs referred to opal as the “eye of the gods”. While in the presence of opals you are encouraged to visualize your difficulties in life as this will bring insight from the divine. The Aztecs weren’t the only ancient culture to give supernatural association to this iridescent gem, Arabic legend claims that opals fall from the heavens in flashes of lighting. The Greeks claimed opals provided their owner with psychic abilities and guarded them from disease. And the Europeans have long credited the October birthstone with hope, purity and truth.
With all of these accolades it’s no wonder I was compelled to incorporate opal into my work. All of my jewelry is crafted with metaphysical properties in mind to provide you with the added benefits of healing and enlightenment. I immediately gravitated towards pink Peruvian opal which is associated with consciousness, kindness and love. Not only did its kaleidoscope of colorful rays draw me in, but I can truly feel balance happening when in opal’s presence. All opals have qualities for love, but the pink color seems to amplify this notion. It encouraged me to celebrate this sentiment and pair the pearly pink beauty with an agate druzy, acting as a passion powerhouse.
While opal is often associated as a milky white, it comes in a color range as vast as the rainbow. I was taken with this green moss opal which has all the fine qualities of its colorful relatives, but also offers the gift of prosperity. I find it interesting that green gemstones often seem to take on this persona and it drums up images of currency and abundance.
I’ll be back in Boulder, Colorado soon for a short visit. I’ve recently decided to plant myself back on the beautiful shores of Kauai. A decision between the snowy peaks or the ocean wasn’t an easy one! I’m grateful to have amazing friends in both locales and know I’ll have to get my mountain fix here and there. Right now I am soaking in the beauty of the Hawaiian backdrop and I love being able to dip my toes into the vast blue on my early morning walks. The ocean’s greatness brings me humility and leaves me reminiscing about the majestic beauty of Boulder opal which hails from Australia, not my Coloradan home. Perhaps I’ll have to use it in a design!
However you decide to celebrate this month I hope you’ll do it with an open heart and an open mind. Fun fact – I too am an October baby! I plan on celebrating my day with loved ones from near and far, perhaps over a lobster bake, one of my favorite ways of bringing folks together. Who knows where the festivities will lead me! But one thing I do know for sure – I’ll be sporting a JuneStones wrap bracelet spun with this mystic beauty. Like me, I know you’ll become captivated and love playing with the metaphysical powers of gemstones. If you are wearing opal, may you attract all the love, compassion, and prosperity that you deserve! Try one for yourself and see what you manifest into your life.