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Garnet (Chrysolithus)

GarnetAccording to St. Epiphanies of Cyprus, the garnet belongs to the family of chrysolite and carsedone. In ancient Georgian, garnet is the same as coral. This is testified by Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani's Lexicon (XVIIIc). The colors of this stone are red and purple as well as similar to that of the pomegranate flower.

The tenth gem adorning Aaron’s gown and the garnet of St. Epiphanies of Cyprus is the chrysolite, which matches Jacob's tenth son Zebulun. It was believed in the Middle Ages that the chrysolite conjured out demons, endowed its owner with calmness, attracted the sympathy of people surrounding him and provided success in his deeds; it was also thought to strengthen the spiritual forces of man and grant him the skill of foretelling. The chrysolite dissolved in water is deemed a remedy against stomachache.

According to contemporary mineralogy, the chrysolite is a precious stone of a golden-green and olive color. Jewelers often refer to chrysolite as “the evening emerald”.

The chrysolite is the main gem of Libra (September 23 - October 22) and Peter is the apostle of this Zodiac. The chrysolite protects its owner from the evil eye, cures a stutter, the gastrointestinal tract, eye maladies, strengthens the nervous and cardiovascular systems, cleanses the body and sharpens eyesight.