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January’s Birthstone, Garnet: More Colorful Than You Think

January 6, 2016 by WendyB

January’s birthstone is garnet, which most people think of as a deep red gem.

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Click to order custom rhodolite garnet earrings set in 18K gold.

But, as I pointed out in this post from last year’s Tucson gem show, garnet comes in a range of colors, with different names for different varieties. The garnets I used in the studs pictured above are rhodolite. In Tucson, I got samples of yellowish grossular, green tsavorite, orange spessartite garnet, as well as rhodolite.

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Left to right: grossular, tsavorite, spessartite and rhodolite garnet.

Tsavorite is one of my favorite gems. The green is so vibrant! I’ve used it so many designs that I consider it to be one of my signature accent gems. I used two carats of tsavorite in my one-of-a-kind onyx skull ring.

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My onyx skull ring with tsavorite and hidden diamonds.

My amethyst Marie Antoinette ring with tsavorites has the same setting as the onyx skull, just flipped upside down.

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Purple and green were the royal colors.

My Marie Antoinette earrings have 202 tsavorites per earring. I had to have them custom cut to the right size. I also had the amethyst custom cut.

The gem setter took a long time to finish these. It was an exhausting job!

The gem setter took a long time to finish these. It was an exhausting job!

When I redesigned my own pearl pendant, I used tsavorite in the setting.

I do redesigns for customers too!

I do redesigns for customers too!

Later, I made a matching pair of pearl and tsavorite cufflinks as a birthday gift for MrB.

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You can order these with different color pearls and different accent gems. How about black pearls with rubies?

Even when I’m not doing a design that’s heavy on tsavorite, I like to get a few in. The Empress Wu dragon earrings have tsavorite eyes. Being a green-eyed monster isn’t always a bad thing!

A close-up of one Empress Wu earring.

A close-up of one Empress Wu earring.

This custom-made tiger ring has tsavorite eyes too.

This was a fun job to do.

This was a fun job to do.

This year, I’d love to do a design with orange spessartite, which is also called mandarin garnet. I don’t have anything in mind at the moment, but every time I see this stone, I practically drool. If I go to the Tucson gem show next month, I’m sure I’ll find an inspiring spessartite.

If you want your own special garnet design, holla at me at info at wendybrandes dot com!

You might also like
What Wendy Wore: Stacy Lomman Peplum Dress, Again
Throwback Thursday: Eryn Wearing Something Borrowed
Welcome to the Year of the Tiger

Filed Under: birthstone, earrings, my designs, rings

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Catherine says

    January 9, 2016 at 1:51 am

    Wendy did u anger the Poodle again? Why is the Poodle so full of vengeance. Doesn’t the Poodle know I need my jewelry porn and vintage fashion fix?? ❤️

    • WendyB says

      January 9, 2016 at 2:13 am

      Oh em gee! It’s been a rough couple of days!

  2. stacy says

    January 10, 2016 at 3:00 pm

    Every piece is so magnificent. Suddenly, I’m partial to purple & green!

    • WendyB says

      January 10, 2016 at 6:18 pm

      🙂

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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Original jewelry designs, photos and text are © Wendy Brandes 2007-2016. All rights reserved.

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