Garnetnecklaces were found in the graves of wealthy Bronze Age Czechoslovakians. There has even been older garnet jewelry found from Egypt and Samaria dating as far back as 3100 BC. Garnet jewelry was intensely popular during third and fourth century Rome.

During Medieval times warriors also believed that the garnet protected them against receiving wounds and would also bring victory!

Chinese and Japanese warriors made bullets out of garnet because they believed that they would inflict more damage on their intended victims. It has been found that as recent as 1892, during skirmishes in Kashmir, Hanza warriors fired garnet bullets at British soldiers

Many Native American tribes used garnet in jewelry, shields, dream catchers and many other things. But their uses went much deeper than decoration. It was believed that garnet had strong medicinal powers. Garnet was thought to protect its wearer against poisons and wounds. It was also believed by some to help cure depression and to prevent nightmares. Red garnets in particular were believed to break a fever, stop bleeding and to reduce inflammation.

The first recorded mining of garnet was in Sri Lanka over 2,500 years ago. The garnet is also found in Africa, Australia, India, Russia, and South America; and in the United States, in Arizona and Idaho.  Although most commonly known as a red gemstone, the garnet comes in a variety of other hues, including muted yellows, vibrant oranges, rosy pinks, lime greens, and violets—a virtual bouquet of colors.  This diversity is due to unique combinations of elements within each particular gem, such as iron, calcium, and manganese.  

The garnet continues to be the protective gem of journeyers. A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming.  It is January's birthstone, but far from being only a winter gem, the garnet, with its brilliance and multitude of colors, is truly one for any season