What is the Meaning of Garnet?

Garnet Meaning and Properties

The meaning of 'garnet' comes from the Latin 'granatus' meaning 'containing many seeds (or grains)'.  The word is believed to originate from the Old Latin 'granum' meaning 'grain' or 'seed'.

Some articles claim 'granatus' means pomegranate but that's incorrect.  The Latin for pomegranate is pōmum grānātum, which means seeded apple.

It's difficult to say why garnet was named after this fruit because language has evolved so much over the years. 

The most likely reason is because the stone's deep red colour resembled the colour of the seeds.
Garnet is a gemstone with a long history and various meanings depending on cultural and historical contexts.  When used for its healing properties it's associated with strength, power and vitality.

Its dark red colour is believed to symbolise life force, passion, and courage. It's considered to be a stone of physical and emotional energy that stimulates motivation and endurance.

Garnet is sometimes regarded as a protective talisman. It's believed to shield the wearer from negative energies, promote grounding and provide a sense of security.

It can also be used to ward off evil spirits and nightmares.

Due to its colour, garnet has been associated with love and passion throughout history. A stone of commitment and devotion, garnet is often given as a gift to express love, affection and friendship.

The Princess of Wales was seen wearing a garnet ring early in her relationship with Prince William.  With her birthday being January garnet is her birthstone.  The ring also featured pearls which is William's birthstone.

In some traditions, garnet's healing properties are believed to promote regeneration. It's said to assist with circulation, boost the immune system and aid in recovery from illness or trauma.

The healing properties of garnet are also linked to emotional healing.  It's said to help release negative patterns of behaviour and promote self-confidence.

It enhances spiritual awareness, stimulates the flow of energy and facilitates meditation and visualisation.

Garnet aligns the base and crown chakras, promoting a harmonious connection between the physical and spiritual realms. It encourages energy to flow freely along the spine, bringing balance where needed.

In medieval times, garnet was believed to keep travellers safe.  Those who wore or carried it were said to be protected from poison and the plague.

Our article "Garnet Healing Properties, Facts and Photos" contains more interesting facts and geological properties.

The photo of the garnet gemstone at the top of our article is courtesy of Captain Tenneal.  It's clickable and redirects to the original image.