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Garnet is the January birthstone. Garnets actually come in green, orange, pink and purple - but if someone says garnet - odds are - you think of a deep, dark red! Garnet is frequently used as a colour-name to indicate dark red. The word garnet comes from the Latin Garanatus, meaning "seed-like" - and refers to the seeds inside a pomegranate. January's gemstone garnet is also the gemstone of the second wedding anniversary. Garnets have been used by Ancient Egyptians in their jewelry, and their are references to this gemstone as far back as 3rd Millennium BC. Native Americans used garnet to decorate their dream catchers and shields and believed that garnet had medicinal powers. When worn, garnet was thought to protect the person from poisons and wounds. Some people also believed that garnet could cure depression, prevent nightmares, break fevers, reduce inflammation and stop bleeding. Garnets signify eternal friendship and trust. Depending on their chemical composition garnets can have a variety of colors such as red, brown, yellow, orange, white, green or black. Garnets are still admired for their beauty and value and make beautiful gifts for January birthdays or anyone who appreciates the sparkle of deep red in their ring, necklace or earrings. Their power is in more than their beauty, it is also in their ability to last from generation to generation.
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