Ms. Ann's Garnets And The January Surprise

 

Classic Garnet Cluster Ring

Over Christmas Dinner it finally occurred to me that Ms. Ann must be a January baby, because she only wears Garnet jewelry--that month’s birthstone.   I remember thinking ‘Hmmm… that so unusual for any woman, let alone a young gal to exclusively, only, wear birthstone jewelry.’

Her jewelry look is demure, usually classic Mozambique, coffee or tea colored,  garnet cluster designs in earrings and bracelets.    She’s a pretty and demure girl who’s also NASA smart.   I like that about her: there’s no riff-raff going on here.



A Rare Style of Big Bead Garnets

Too bad we didn’t realize her real style  when we all went jewelry shopping for her gift a few Christmases ago. 

 

And I do mean “We”. 

 

 

 

 Lil Loren enlisted the aid of his Mom, grandmother and me to help him select the perfect jewelry gift for Ms. Ann.

After the sales clerk reminded us, gently, that our selections were “too old” for a young girl, we shut-up and left Lil Loren to his own devices to select a gift.    If I recall, he settled-on sapphire earrings.   Sapphire is his grandmother's birthstone.

He made a good choice.    I’d like to think that it was because I previously told him that a good girlfriend is rare and precious.

And that’s the compelling thing about rich red Bordeaux colored garnet jewelry, it’s always  rare and precious looking despite being inexpensive and very accessible.

At one time there were 2 jewelry stores in Chicago that sold nothing but exquisite red rhodolite, berry-colored, garnet jewelry - One on Michigan Avenue and the other on Howard Street.  Go figure!

But I’ve seen paintings of Queens, like Elizabeth I and Victoria wearing garnet jewelry.  I recall a photo of Elizabeth Taylor wearing garnets.

 These were women who could afford  royal jewelry or luxury designs but chose to wear garnets when it suited them.

Ms. Ann said "Yes".

I’m beyond happy that Lil’ Loren and Ms. Ann chose each other.  So let’s forget about the garnet birthstone jewelry momentarily.  I want to see  video and photos of that diamond engagement ring.

 

 

SHOW STOPPING RICH RED GARNET, JANUARY’S BIRTHSTONE




Fancy Faceted  Garnet Bead Necklace

 

Rich-colored red garnets brighten-up my skin on winter days in January just like raspberry red lipstick.  Wear a multi-strand torsade of burgundy garnet nuggets to liven-up or enhance your skin tone, even if garnet isn’t your birthstone.

When shopping online, in stores or at craft fairs, keep an eye out for the beauty of garnet.

 DISTINCTIVE GARNET DESIGN LOOKS:

• Antique “bohemian” garnet jewelry finds like earrings are commonly available set en masse with multiple small stones.
• Modern ring designs showcasing one large, fancy cut solitaire of a high grade colored garnet are rare but can be found with determination. Larger carats are real showstoppers. They are also easy to wear without fear because garnet has a Mohs hardness scale rating of about 7.5.
• Small gems set in artisan crafted sterling silver jewelry are very common.
• Garnet necklaces strung with unusually faceted beads are very distinctive.

Seed pearls or small opals set together with garnets seem to be traditional companions, especially in vintage jewelry.

MORE TO LEARN ABOUT GARNET

I once passed by a little jewelry store on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue that sold beautiful berry red garnet and pearl jewelry designs.  In fact, vibrant red garnet jewelry in various settings was virtually the ONLY jewelry sold in the store!



Garnet Gemstone Rough



Garnet is very common.

This gem is mined on all continents and has been a mainstay of jewelry since ancient times.

And if garnet is your birthstone, but red is not your color, this gem also comes in yellow, green, basic brown and BLUE!

 And if you just CANNOT decide which color you would like to wear, garnet is also available in two varieties of color-change gemstone.

Pat Thomas for Jewelrystash