January · Deep red

January birthstone: Garnet

The stone for January in both the modern and traditional lists.

Modern birthstone Garnet
Traditional birthstone Garnet
Colour Deep red
Birth flower Carnation and Snowdrop
Zodiac signs Capricorn, Aquarius
Hardness (Mohs) 6.5–7.5

Garnet has been the January stone in every major list since the Roman calendar was adapted for gem lore, and it is one of the few months where the modern and traditional choices never diverged.

January stones in detail

Garnet

Composition Group of silicate minerals — almandine, pyrope, spessartine and others
Hardness · Crystal system 6.5–7.5 · Cubic
Mined in India, Brazil, Madagascar, Tanzania, Russia

Garnet is not one mineral but a family. Almandine gives the familiar deep red; tsavorite garnet is green and rarer than emerald.

Traditionally carried by travellers as a stone of safe return, and long associated with vitality and steady energy.

Care. Warm soapy water and a soft brush. Safe in an ultrasonic cleaner unless the stone is fractured.

Spotting a fake. Garnet is rarely faked because it is inexpensive. Glass imitations give themselves away by air bubbles under magnification and by feeling warm — garnet stays cool to the touch.

January birth flowers

Carnation

Traditionally signifies devotion and admiration.

Snowdrop

Traditionally signifies hope and the first sign of thaw.

More on January birth flowers →

If you go by zodiac sign instead

January spans two signs — Capricorn and Aquarius — and the zodiac stone list does not match the monthly one. Which applies to you depends on the day, not just the month.

Capricorn stones · Aquarius stones

Questions about the January birthstone

What is the birthstone for January?

Garnet in the modern list.

What colour is the January birthstone?

Deep red.

What is the January birth flower?

Carnation and Snowdrop — signifying devotion and admiration.

Is it hard enough to wear every day?

Garnet sits at 6.5–7.5 on the Mohs scale. Too soft for a ring worn daily — better in a pendant or earrings.

Other months

February March April May June July August September October November December