Rock of Ages

Start the year right by harnessing the special qualities and energies of your birthstone.

JANUARY GARNET

The garnet derives its name from “granatum”, the Latin word for seeds or grains, thanks to its resemblance to crimson pomegranate seeds. While red is the most common colour of the gem, garnets come in a rainbow spectrum of hues. Varieties range from deep red pyrope garnets to vibrant green tsavorites. Mandarin spessartite garnets, however, are the rarest and most expensive. Ancient Egyptians regarded this durable gemstone, which rates 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, as a symbol of life, while warriors across cultures in antiquity wore it for protection. Representing confidence, energy and willpower in modern times, garnets are also said to bring calm and strength to their wearers in challenging situations. Louis Vuitton Stellar Times yellow gold and platinum cocktail ring with an 11.51-carat oval-cut spessartite garnet and 100 brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 4.87 carats

FEBRUARY AMETHYST

Long associated with myths, legends and spirituality across numerous cultures, this purple quartz is named after the Latin word “amethystus”, which means “not drunken”. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed it could ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, the god of wine and ecstasy, and keep one’s mind sharp. Leonardo da Vinci even said the gem heightened intelligence and got rid of evil thoughts. The amethyst was historically held in the same high regard as the diamond by mainly royalty or clergy, until the discovery of abundant deposits made it more accessible. Often occurring in geodes or granitic rock cavities, the alluring stone has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Bvlgari Barocko Festa yellow gold necklace with 42 amethyst beads weighing 169.68 carats, 51 rubellite beads totalling 214.2 carats, and 92 round brilliant-cut and pavé diamonds with a total weight of 35.08 carats