What Is My Birthstone?
January Birthstone: Garnet
Garnet
January's birthstone is garnet, one of the few months where the modern and traditional lists agree. Most people picture the deep red pyrope or almandine garnet, but garnet is really a family of silicate minerals that also comes in orange (spessartine), green (tsavorite and demantoid) and even color-changing varieties, so a January stone can be any of them.
Garnet has been worn since the Bronze Age and was a favorite of travelers, who believed it kept them safe on long roads. Today it is the traditional gift for a second wedding anniversary as well as the January birthstone.
Rose quartz appears on some alternative lists for January if you want a softer, pink option, and it is far cheaper than fine garnet.
January birthstones at a glance
- Modern birthstone: Garnet
- Traditional birthstone: Garnet
- Alternates: Rose Quartz
- Color: deep red
- Traditionally associated with protection on journeys, friendship and trust
About Garnet
Garnet is a group of silicate minerals that share similar crystal structures. While red garnets are most common, they occur in every color except blue.
| Type | Semi-Precious Stones |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | X3Y2(SiO4)3 |
| Mohs hardness | 7 |
| Crystal system | cubic |
| Luster | vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Cleavage | None |
- The only common gemstone that doesn't occur in blue
- Used as abrasive in sandpaper and water jet cutting
- Noah allegedly used a garnet lantern on the Ark
How to tell real Garnet at a glance
- Color: Red, Orange, Green, Purple, Brown. Look at a clean, dry surface in daylight. Color zoning, banding or spots are as diagnostic as the hue.
- Luster: Vitreous. Fresh surfaces shine like glass; a dull surface usually means weathering, so chip or wet a corner.
- Transparency: Transparent. Hold a thin edge up to a bright light and note whether light passes through.
- Mohs hardness: 7. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file.
Other stones on this page
Frequently asked questions
What is the birthstone for January?
The modern January birthstone is Garnet. Rose Quartz is also used.
What color is the January birthstone?
Garnet is deep red.
Is January's birthstone always red?
No. Red almandine and pyrope are the classic choice, but garnet also comes in orange, green, purple and color-change varieties. Any garnet counts as a January birthstone.
How can I tell garnet from ruby or red glass?
Garnet is Mohs 6.5–7.5 and has no cleavage, ruby is harder (9), and glass usually shows bubbles and feels lighter. StoneSnap's identify guide for garnet walks through each test.
