FACETING FOCUS

Reveling in Fire Engine Garnet

- JIM PERKINS

A new year brings many things to the forefront, including the January birthstone: garnet. The striking beauty of this stone is equaled by its centuries-long popularity. As archaeological and literary research reveals, red garnet was among the most common stone of jewelry worn by ancient Egyptian pharaohs and members of royalty, and in ancient Rome, red garnets were highly sought-after in the trade market. As if that isn’t enough fascinating reasons to showcase garnet, Jim Perkins, the man behind Faceting

Focus, reports receiving many requests about a garnet cut pattern he created. Perkins aptly named the pattern, Fire Engine Garnet.