Garnet

Rough, Uncut Garnet

Garnets are a very beautiful gems best known as the gemstone for those born in the month of January. Garnets come in every color except blue. Rhodolites are the purple ones, Hessonite are the orange, red, and pinkish ones, and Tsavorite and Uvarovite are the names for the green ones. Their rank on the Mohs scale of hardness is a 7.
Garnets can be found in the following places:
Arizona, USA
South Africa
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Burma, Myanmar
Scotland
Switzerland
Tanzania

A cut demantoid garnet

Garnets are formed when high pressure and temperature is a factor and because of this, geologists use it as a gauge to tell them what the temperature and pressure amount was when it was being created. Garnets are priced according to size and color. The most expensive garnet color is a pale green called a demantoid that can only be found in Russia. Because it is so rare, it starts at prices of $1000 per carat, if not more.

EXTRA FACTS (MYTHS ABOUT THE GARNET)
Garnet's powers are thought to be healing, strength, protection, and is often worn to heal inflamed skin. It is also believed to help in regulation of heart and blood flow, and is used to cure depression. In ancient times, a garnet was given as a gift to a very close friend as a symbol of everlasting friendship. (Garnets are also given on 2nd and 6th anniversaries.)