"HOW TO BUY A DIAMOND WITHOUT GETTING RIPPED OFF"   

        JANUARY: GARNET is the symbol of faith, truth, grace and fidelity. Legend has it garnet protects a house from lightning, dispels sadness, acts as an antidote against snake bite and warns of danger by loosing its color. Ancient dream interpreters said that dreaming of garnet foretold of great riches. The Bible tells of garnet being the first of twelve stones in the breastplate of the High Priest Aaron, brother of Moses, who helped lead the Israelites from Egypt; the stones represented the twelve tribes of Israel. Noah reportedly used a very large garnet to illuminate the inside of the ark.  It reportedly also gives its wearer guidance in the night, protection from nightmares. It was also thought to have a special affinity with the blood. Legend also claims garnet and other red stones have a calming influence on bad tempers.

 When most people think of garnet, they picture the dark red bohemian garnet that was popular in Victorian times. You may be surprised to learn that garnets are found in every color except blue, including brilliant green tsavorite garnet, raspberry pink rhodolite garnet, and orange Malaya garnet. Bright red "anthill" garnets are found in Arizona.

The Tsars of Russia favored rare green damantoid garnets.

Garnets are durable and brilliant and will give years of pleasure. Garnets are found in the U.S., Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil and India.