About
Garnet is a gemstone with an ancient history. The first recorded garnet mine was found in Sri Lanka, and is thought to date back 2,500 years. Garnets have also been found in Bronze Age tombs, hinting at the resilient qualities of this deep red-colored stone. They represent January’s birthstone, and are typically given as 2nd or 15th anniversary gifts.
Garnets have many mythical qualities. A biblical story tells that Noah used a garnet to illuminate the path of his Ark through the night. Ancient travelers often wore a garnet for the same reason. We now know, due to scientific discoveries, that garnets have a high refractive index, making them a particularly luminous stone.
Garnets can also be given as gifts symbolizing the eternal strength of true love. The seed-like shape of garnet crystals in their natural form reminded the ancient Greeks of a pomegranate seed. One version of the Greek myth that explains why we have cyclical seasons tells a story of pomegranates and true love. Hades, the god of the Underworld, had fallen in love with the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the weather and plants. Hades convinced Persephone to come to the Underworld with him, and gave her a pomegranate. Not knowing that eating food from the Underworld would keep her from ever returning to her mother, Persephone ate three seeds of the pomegranate. As the last red jewel-like seed passed her lips, she fell deeply in love with Hades. Her mother, Demeter, bereft that she would never see her daughter again, caused the first winter to fall over the land. Zeus, king of the gods, saw the pain Demeter was in, and commanded Persephone to split the year between her dear husband and her dear mother. When Persephone returned for half the year, Demeter’s joy caused warmth to return and plants to blossom.
A garnet may light your path, or symbolize your true love, but it will certainly always shine with its warm red glow.
Details
- crafted with recycled sterling silver
- 2mm wide band
- 6mm by 8mm faceted oval garnet
