January's birthstone is the garnet.   The Crusaders used garnets  as a talisman against wounds and accidents during their journeys, but other cultures believed that garnets, when used as bullets, inflected more severe wounds on their enemies.  Garnets were used as protection from poisons, wounds, bad dreams, and cured depression. Red garnets (there are several colors) relieved fever, hemorrhages and inflammatory diseases.  The Garnet represents healing, protection, strength, heart, passion, constancy, and truth.