Garnets are a group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. All species of garnets possess similar physical properties and crystal forms, but differ in chemical composition. The word garnet comes from the 14th-century Middle English word gernet, meaning 'dark red'. 

The stone’s name comes from the Latin granatum, which means seed. While we now know that garnets come in different colors and species, the ancient Greeks associated the gem’s reddish-purple color with pomegranate seeds, a symbol for passion and everlasting love.

Over time, wandering trade smiths and travelers wore the glimmering gems to light their path and protect them as they endeavored through treacherous moonlit roads.

Noblemen wore garnet signet rings to stamp their signatures, and the first Anglo-Saxons adorned their weaponry in them to strengthen their warrior skills. If we trace the gem through history, the folklore always depicts garnet as a blood-red gem, despite its modern color variations. Even royal figures dropped the stones into their wine glasses to protect themselves from poison — the choice murder weapon of the Middle Ages.

Used as both a protective amulet and decorative jewelry ornament, garnet colors history in sparkling red.

Garnet gems aren’t just one type of gemstone, but a group of similar stones from one mineral family. They come in all sorts of colors, including red, yellow, orange, purple, pink, green, gray, brown, and black. There are even color-changing varieties!

Despite this myriad of rainbow colors, garnet is most known for its rich crimson color with a dark purple tinge. When gemologists, jewelers, and buyers refer to garnet, they’re alluding to the dark red variety. However, if we broaden the lens, we’ll find that garnet is anything but singular in color and composition.

According to Metaphysics: There are countless beliefs regarding the various benefits of wearing a garnet to promote good health. In ancient and medieval times, the symbolism of color played a very important part in recommending the use of particular stones for special diseases. In the case of red stones, they were thought to be remedies for hemorrhages of all kinds, as well as for inflammatory diseases. Garnets were worn to enhance bodily strength, endurance and vigor. It was widely believed to be extremely beneficial to wear a garnet when one had to exert oneself. Garnet was also though to relieve skin conditions and regulate the heart and blood. It was thought to be healing for either gender. For men, it keeps the reproductive system healthy. For women, it promotes hormonal balance and is said to reduce swelling. Garnet has long believed to cure heart palpitations, lung diseases, and various diseases of the blood. Traditional folklore creates a strong link between the red garnet and blood. It is believed that a garnet tones the spleen, promotes health throughout the circulatory system and enhances the body's production of healthy hemoglobin. It stimulates metabolism, treats spinal and cellular disorders, purifies and reenergizes the blood, heart and lungs, and regenerates DNA.

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