GARNET is the birthstone for the month of January. It comes from the Latin word, “granatus” which means grain, possibly a reference to the Punica granatum (“pomegranate”), a fruit with red seeds similar in shape, size, and color to some garnet crystals. The garnet group includes minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. Garnets are also found in jewelry from early Egyptian, Greek and Roman times.
