Garnet, January's Birthstone

Most people think that garnets are always red, a deep blood red. But January's birthstone can also be found in a pretty pink, a peridot-like green, or even shades of brown called hessonite garnet. Pictured here (click on photo for a close-up view) are two bracelets with garnets that I made to celebrate the start of a new year. The one with the oval green jasper beads feature heishi pearls with pink garnet centers. The other bracelet with gold filled findings contains hessonite garnets in gradiations of chocolate brown to champagne. Whether you are a January baby or not, garnets are an elegant, not-too-pricey, colorful, semi-precious gemstone that you should include in your jewelry creations to make them sparkle all year long.