Hessonite Garnet

Hessonite is a member of the grossularite family of garnets. Hessonite comes in colors of orange, yellow orange, brownish orange, reddish orange, and yellow. Unique to hessonite is its optical properties which give the gem a shimmering mirage effect this phnomenon only occures in hessonite. Hessonite is believed by many cultures in Africa and other locations around the world to have the power to protect pregnant women and their unborn child through child birth and is sometimes called the birthing stone. Garnet is the designated birthstone for January.