Garnet – birthstone for the month of January.

Believed to represent faith, loyalty, truth and devotion, garnet is known as the stone of commitment. Most people think of garnet as a single type of gem that is dark red in color. Actually, garnet is a gem family that spans a range of red, green, yellow, orange, purple and brown shades.

Garnet's name comes from the Latin "Granatus," which means "seed-like." Many garnet crystals have the shape and color of pomegranate seeds.

Best known among the garnets are the deep red almandine and pyrope garnets. Their widespread availability makes them extremely affordable (under $40 a carat). In recent years rhodolite, a mix of almandine and pyrope, has become increasingly popular and is found in light to dark pink to purplish red, even grape. Rare garnets as the green colored tsavorite, can cost several hundreds of dollars per cart.

Buying Tips
Color is most important when determining the value of garnet. Lively, bright colors command higher prices than gems that are too light or dark. Better quality garnets are usually eye clean and very high clarity (not many inclusions) under magnification. Also watch out for synthetic imitations in lower priced jewelry.

Folklore
There are many ancient traditions and legends about garnets. According to the Egyptians, garnet is an antidote for snakebite and food poisoning. Some Hebrew writers include it as one of the 12 gems in Aaron’s breastplate. Christian tradition long considered the blood-red garnet symbolic of Christ's sacrifice. The Koran holds that it illuminates the Fourth Heaven of the Moslems. Garnet was said to give its wearer guidance in the night allowing him to see when others couldn’t. Legend claims that Noah hung a large garnet in the ark for illumination. Garnet was thought to help the wearer resist melancholy, cure heart palpitations, word off evil spirits, spark creativity and provide a grounding influence.

Care
Clean garnet with warm soapy water and a soft brush. A sonic cleaner can be used for most garnets except for Andradite (Demantoid) garnets because they are softer than other garnets. Do not use a steamer.
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USEFUL LINKS:

Directorypet.com - Pet directory, resources of pet information on the web.
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Why Pets Don't Make Good Gifts
Every year thousands of unwanted pets are returned, given away, or abandoned to their fates. Some of these pets were

The giver is usually well-meaning. It could be that he believes a single friend or relative could "use some company" ... or that giving a new pet will help to ease the grief of someone mourning the loss of a beloved pet ... or someone who "loves animals" will appreciate a pet ... or simply that he finally gives in to repeated requests from the kids to get a pet. It's just not a good idea.

• Someone's lifestyle may not be conducive to caring for a pet ... regardless of whether or not that person is single!
• A person mourning a pet needs time to grieve. She can adopt a new one if or when she is ready. Everyone grieves in different ways.
• Many people who love animals may not actually want to have one, preferring to visit with their friends' or family's pets instead. Caring for a pet is a big responsibility - and that includes a financial responsibility.
• Parents can tell you how often the kids say, But I'll take care of him... pleeeease! I'll feed him, and walk him, and brush him... -- but of course, the adults end up doing the majority of the pet care. Wait until your kids are old enough to assume many of the responsibilities of owning a pet.

Instead of giving a pet as a gift:

• Ask your local SPCA, pet rescue organization, or animal shelter whether they sell gift certificates. Give the gift certificate instead of a pet. The recipient can then go and choose their own pet, one whose personality and care requirements matches her own personality and lifestyle.
• Hand-craft a gift certificate or a pet gift basket. Offer to pay for the adoption fee of a new pet, or package up a nice basket filled with useful pet care items and treats, for whenever the recipient decides to adopt a pet.