January — Garnet.

The garnet derives its name from the Latin word for "granatum," meaning pomegranate because the crystals bear a resemblance to the fruit. According to legend, Noah used purple garnets to light his Arc. Ancient warriors believed that garnets brought victory. The Egyptians wore them in this life — and beyond, taken into tombs with the dead as payment to the gods for safe passage through the nether world. In the Middle Ages, people wore garnets to protect against demons, poisons, wounds and bad dreams — and even cured depression. They were thought to relieve fever, hemorrhages and inflammatory diseases. A lion was carved on a garnet several inches long carried for protection while traveling. In the 12th Century, the Crusaders wore them for protection against wounds and accidents. Conversely, Asiatic warriors believed that glowing garnets, which they used as bullets, could inflict more damaging wounds.

Although "red" is the color most associated with the garnet, it exists in a variety of colors — from black and colorless to many shades of green and red. This array of colors comes from metals such as manganese, iron, calcium and aluminum. Green garnets — which were prized by Russian czars for their entrancing beauty — are the most valuable because they are so rare; followed by colorless and pure red.

Today, some believe that garnets help create a power shield against muggers and people with bad intent. Others believe that the garnet is a healing stone, relieving skin irritations and inflammations and regulating heart and blood flow. Whether in a ring, pendant, earrings or bracelet, this much is true — January's birthstone symbolizes a light heart, loyalty and lasting affection.