Garnet is the birthstone for January. It’s a deep red gem, and GIA rates it 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. That’s tough enough for daily wear. Hannah and Rachel Vasicek, two sisters, founded Francesca, and its January pieces start at $39. The Francesca birthstone collection turns garnet into studs, huggies, bracelets, a necklace and charms. You can pick silver, gold or rose gold. Gift wrapping is free on every single order, too. So the range suits birthdays, and anyone who loves a warm red sparkle. Here’s what makes it stand out, from price to perks to daily care.
What does the collection include?
The January range has studs, huggies, bracelets, a necklace, charms and sets. The page lists 13 products at the time of writing. Here are the main pieces, with starting prices in Australian dollars.
| Piece | Starts at | Metal tones |
|---|---|---|
| Aura charm | $39 | Silver, rose, gold |
| Studs | $49 | Silver, gold |
| Huggies | $69 | Silver, gold |
| Bracelet | $89 | Silver, rose, gold |
| Chain bracelet | $119 | Silver, gold |
| Necklace | $159 | Silver, rose, gold |
| Full set | $214 | Silver, rose, gold |
My pick for a first gift is the studs. They start at $49 and go with almost anything. The necklace suits a bigger moment. Sets save money too. The full January set starts at $214, marked down from $238.
Why does garnet suit a January birthday?
Garnet is the official birthstone for January. Its name comes from a 14th century word, gernet, meaning dark red. People link it with love, loyalty and friendship. Francesca also sells zodiac charms for Capricorn and Aquarius, the two star signs that cover January. Petite zodiac charms start at $29. Capricorn runs from December 22 to January 19. Aquarius runs from January 20 to February 18. Garnet is the traditional gift for a second wedding anniversary, too. Red is the classic, but garnet also comes in orange, yellow, purple and green. I love that one stone can mark a birthday, a star sign and an anniversary.
Can you make the pieces your own?
Yes, and that’s the best part. Many pieces offer engraving, or you can pair them with charms. Engraving turns a lovely gift into a true keepsake. The Aura charm starts at $39 and slips onto a charm bracelet. Francesca designs for layering, so each piece is a starting point for your own story. The sisters blend current trends with shapes that last.
What perks make it a smart gift?
Francesca packs in perks that make gifting simple. These are the ones I’d point to first:
- Free gift wrapping on all orders.
- Free shipping when you spend over $100.
- Engraving on some pieces, plus charms to mix and match.
- An Australian Made tag on the bracelet and necklace.
- More than 9,000 five star reviews.
The chain bracelet, necklace and every set pass the $100 line on their own, so shipping is free. Francesca says its garnets come from partners who follow responsible mining and fair labour practices. That’s good to know before you gift.
How do you care for garnet jewellery?
Wipe it with a soft cloth. GIA says warm soapy water is always safe for garnet, and steam cleaning is not recommended. Keep pieces dry, and take them off before a swim or a workout. Store each one in a lined box so nothing rubs. Garnet has fair to good toughness, so gentle habits go a long way.
Bracelet sizing is easy. Wrap a soft tape around your wrist, then add 1 to 2 cm for movement. Francesca’s sizes run from 16 cm (XS/S) to 19 cm (M/L), with 17.5 cm (S/M) in between.
