Garnet

Garnets come in a multitude of colors, but red garnet is by far the most common. In fact, red garnet bead necklaces have been found in ancient Egyptian graves dating back over 5,000 years! Garnets are still adored for their beauty and vibrant colors to this day. 

Garnet is the official birthstone of January. It is known to reduce negative feelings and improve mental clarity, and some even believe that they can help protect against some diseases.

Much of garnet's value depends on the 4 C's (color, clarity, cut, carat weight), but variety is the biggest factor. For example, a high quality 2 carat rhodolite garnet can cost around $50-$100 per carat, while a high quality grossular garnet (tsavorite) can cost up to $3,000 per carat!