Pyrope Garnet (Anthill Garnet)

Item Description

These richly colored stones are some of the most well-known Garnets from any locality in the United States. They might have an added layer of popularity because of their unique name. They are found near the tiny town of Sawmill which is a part of Fort Defiance Agency on the Navajo Nation land. The stones are called "Anthill Garnets" due to the fact that they are found on and around the debris piles surrounding ant hills. Essentially, the ants will remove the little Garnet crystals from underground while building their passages for the colony. On a sunny day, you can find hundreds of glowing red treasures on the surface near an anthill if you're in the right spot. These stones have been analyzed and confirmed as Pyrope Garnet, but they have a dynamic fiery red hue that's as fine as any Garnet species you'll find. This beautiful "Round Brilliant" gem has very very slight inclusions and is a wonderful example of these eye-catching stones. Garnet is the birthstone for January, so this could make a great gift for anybody with a January birthday.
This stone is from the estate of former Phoenix area dealer Marvin Rockey. Rockey's Gems was a significant business in the early days of Arizona lapidary material, and he was a prominent dealer and buyer in the Arizona area of local lapidary and carving material from throughout the state, including Bisbee, the Ray Mine, Miami mines, and the Peridot finds on Indian lands in the 1950s-1970s. This stone was kept back from the retail stock for its quality and beauty, in a tray of special material, and was found in his estate (sold to us only recently). Today, these are not only rarely seen but of a highly desirable old quality, and sought after by collectors and gem / jewelry enthusiasts alike.