January's birthstone, garnets are usually known to have a warm, deep red that is similar to that of a ruby, and is often mistaken for one to the untrained eye!  When you think 'garnet', images of sparkling deep red gems probably come to mind, but there are actually garnets of many colours, with the rarest being colourless, orange or green.   Used in adornment for thousands of years, garnets were notably popular in ancient Egypt, used in jewellery and luxurious decorations.  Garnet has inspired many myths & legends, and has popular associations with love, friendship, light, and vitality.