At one time in history, these stones were linked to a 12-part division of the solar year, like a month or a zodiac sign. In ...

The idea of birthstones by the month goes back to about the fifth century when St. Jerome drew a connection between the gem-studded breastplate of Aaron in the Bible and the months of the year.

Garnet is January's birthstone. Its name derives from the medieval Latin " granatus ," meaning "pomegranate," according to the Geological Institute of America. The name is also tied to the Middle ...