January borns, here’s what to know about the January birthstone, Garnet, how it relates to your personality, and what the January birthstone color means.
Birthstones are gemstones associated with each month of the year.
Birthstones and their associated vivid colors have long been a way to connect persons with their birth month. In addition, it’s said they bring good luck and prosperity to the wearer.
This concept dates back to ancient times. The birthstones have a biblical source, going back to the book of Exodus. Aaron’s breastplate was engraved with 12 precious stones that each represented the twelve tribes of Israel at that time.
Today we will discuss the January birthstone, how it relates to your personality, and what the January birthstone color means to you.
January Birthstone
Garnet is the birthstone for January. It brings happiness, good health, and wealth to the wearer. The term “garnet” derives from the Middle English word “gernet,” which means “dark red.”
This word originates from the Latin “granatum,” which means “seed,” and this gem really resembles the pomegranate’s red seeds.
It refers to its vivid red, the color of passion, strength, energy, and desire.
During public celebrations in major city squares, festival participants use colored water, and bright-colored powders called gulal. They throw these brightly colored powders at friends, family, and strangers who come from afar to witness the festival. By covering each other with colored powder, participants symbolically rid themselves of emotional impurities and start a new beginning.
While pyrope and almandine range from purple to red, the grossular mineral range from reddish-orange to orange-red. In contrast, andradite can range from yellow to green, known as demantoid.
Regardless of the variety, this lovely gemstone can be found as individual crystals or in igneous rocks such as granite and basalt.
Depending on the type, garnet has a hardness ranking of 6.5 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale. This means it is softer than topaz, corundum, or diamond.
Garnet gemstones are commonly found in shades of red but also occur in pink, purple, yellow, orange, blue, black, brown, or colorless.
The most common garnet color is deep red, the January birthstone color.
Due to its gorgeous hue and protective nature, garnet has been adored for millennia. They symbolized power, energy, courage, and wealth. Thus, the knights wore the garnet as a talisman during ancient battles.
In ancient Egypt, garnet was believed to have protective properties. Therefore, it was used as a symbol of Isis power, the goddess of earth fertility.
In ancient Greece, garnet was associated with the goddess Persephone. It was thought to have the power to bring light to the darkness. Moreover, it was said to have healing properties.
The Indians believed this gemstone increased physical vitality, courage, and emotional balance. Thus, this lovely gemstone was associated with the root chakra, the center of our inner stability, security, and grounding.
Native Hawaiians also believed it represented the god of fire, which brings energy and vitality. It has the same symbolism in African culture.
Garnet was associated with the planet Mars in Islamic culture and was thought to have protective characteristics. Furthermore, garnet was supposed to bestow power and courage to anyone who wore it.
In Europe, garnet was adored by royalty and nobility. It’s easy to explain why. Its red color symbolizes power and authority.
The Chinese associated it with the element of fire; for them, it is a stone that brings good luck and prosperity. Some healers believe that garnet can ward off evil spirits. It’s often used in different rituals related to purification.
Nowadays, garnet is associated with love, passion, and confidence. But it also promotes power, strength, courage, and vitality.
Garnet is January’s birthstone, closely related to those born in this month. It may explain why those born in January tend to be strong, courageous, and fiery.
While garnet is the traditional birthstone for January, there is also a modern stone for this month, rose quartz.
Even if traditionally, each month is associated with only one birthstone, the National Association of Jewelers created a list with modern options. So, each month is associated with one traditional gemstone and one or more modern birthstones.
Rose quartz is the modern birthstone for January. This is a pink variety of quartz, also known as Hyaline Quartz.
This pale pink gemstone with translucent transparency symbolizes harmony and unconditional love. It’s the gemstone of universal love.
When this gemstone is worn, it can aid in emotional and relationship healing. Furthermore, it can instill compassion and promote feelings of serenity and calm.
January Personality
People born in January have big hearts and are known for their devotion, kindness, courage, and love. In addition, they love to help others and have a great sense of humor.
At first glance, they may seem arrogant, but once you spend time with them, you realize it’s just an appearance.
Those born in January are self-motivated, independent, and courageous. Their optimism and energy are infectious, and they never need a constant push to make things happen.
Moreover, they make friends easily because their energy and courage are among their strong traits. Their motivational nature makes them appreciated by friends. They always encourage others to achieve their goals.
Confident and powerful, those born in January possess a strong will. When they set their mind to something, they don’t give up no matter what obstacles are put in their way.
Despite the power and strength of their birthstone, January borns tend to be sensitive beyond appearances. This can easily hurt them, especially in relationships when they open their hearts wide. They love with great passion.
They are analytical and attentive. Yet, in more difficult times, they know to stay calm to face challenges. This is one of their best qualities.
What’s more, they have native leadership qualities. Their energy and courage, like the birthstone of January, make them brilliant at leading teams to achieve goals.
But this comes at a price. January natives turn mature too early. This may explain why they easily handle life’s problems and challenges. They really adapt to any situation.
Because they are born under the birthstone that symbolizes passion and devotion, they value friends and family.
Honest, hard-working, and intelligent, those born in January can fall into extremes. Thus, they can become emotionless and unpredictable or even dull.
Sometimes they tend to be stubborn and critical of those around them.
They can benefit from added courage, passion, confidence, and energy by wearing their January birthstone.
January Birthstone Color
Red is the January birthstone color. Like the garnet, it symbolizes strength, courage, power, and passion. It is the color of action.
Red is the perfect color of January, as the fiery personality of those born in this month.
Wondering why this color? Since January’s birthstone is garnet, the most popular color of this lovely gemstone has been assigned to January.
The color red radiates a strong energy that guides those born in January to take action. It is associated with ambition, courage, desire, passion, and sexuality. It is also a symbol of strength and power.
Furthermore, it has different symbolism from one culture to another. While in China, it is said to bring good luck and prosperity, in India, it is associated with good fortune, love, and well-being. In Japan, it is associated with luck and happiness; in other cultures, it is the color of passion.
In contrast, the January birthstone color can also symbolize sacrifice, anger, danger, or aggression.
Ways to Boost Your January Birthstone Color Energies
Garnet is a beautiful stone that offers good luck, success, and wealth. As a result, it is appropriate to wear to interviews, business meetings, or the office.
Furthermore, it can help you balance your energy and increase your self-esteem and willpower. Finally, because it is associated with the root chakra, this gemstone can give you a sense of safety and security.
Also, even when you feel weak, you can wear garnet jewelry to benefit from its powerful and positive energy.
Its energy is said to be healing and helps you stay grounded. Thus, you will be able to make wiser decisions.
Whether you opt for earrings, a bracelet, or a pendant, its deep shade of red will make you look great in any setting. In addition, it will bring out your most beautiful personality traits.
Other Birthstone Colors
Are you interested in discovering the other birthstones? Learn more about the birthstone colors and their meanings. Each month of the calendar is summarized here.
- February birthstone color and gemstone: purple (amethyst)
- March birthstone color and gemstone: blue (aquamarine)
- April birthstone color and gemstone: white (colorless diamond)
- May birthstone color and gemstone: green (emerald)
- June birthstone color and gemstone: white (pearl, moonstone) and color-changing alexandrite
- July birthstone color and gemstone: red (ruby)
- August birthstone color and gemstone: green (peridot)
- September birthstone color and gemstone: blue (sapphire)
- October birthstone color and gemstone: pink (tourmaline) and white (opal)
- November birthstone color and gemstone: orange (citrine) and yellow (topaz)
- December birthstone color and gemstone: blue (zircon, tanzanite) and turquoise (turquoise)
Did you like this article about the January birthstone? Share it with your January-born friends. They might enjoy it as well.