Garnets & Pink Quartz (JANUARY)

GARNETS:

The name "garnet" comes from the Latin word granatus ("grain") and refers to the Punica granatum ("pomegranate"), which is a plant with red seeds.
Garnest have been used since the Bronze ages as both gemstones and abrasives. Pure crystals of the garnet are used as gemstones, while garnet sand can be uses as an abrasive.
Garnets are mostly seen in the color red, but can also be orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, pink, and even colorless! Wow! I did not know this until doing my research. I've always thought garnets were red. The blue garnet is the rarest of the colors (1)


FUN GARNET TRIVIA:

It is known as the birthstone for January in the USA(2)

It is the gemstone for the 2nd wedding anniversary (3)

It is the state mineral of Connecticut (4)

It is also New York State's gemstone (5)

References:

(1) Wikipedia, the free enclyclopedia
(2) GIA Gem Reference Guide 1995
(3) LongLocks Hairsticks Boutique 10-04-2007
(4) Connecticut State Register & Manual January 2007
(5) State Symbols USA 10-12-2007

Garnet Pictures:
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=garnets&mkt=en-us


PINK QUARTZ


Pink Quartz is known as the "alternate" January birthstone. It can vary in color from a pale pink to a rose/red hue. Popularity of the pink quartz is not that great because of the pink quartz's tendency to have almost a cloudy look to it.

It is usually found in granite rock in mass form. Some of the areas that pink quartz are mined: Brazil, India, Madagascar, & the United States (South Dakota, California, Maine & Montana)

According to Greek myth, pink quartz got its name from an incident where Aphrodite was cut by a thorn bush trying to save Adonis from an attack. Their combined blood is said to have stained the white quartz a pink color. Hence, Pink Quartz!

For Pink Quartz Picture, click on the following link:
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=picture+of+pink+quartz&mkt=en-us