The Meaning, History, and Uses of Ant Hill Garnet

While referring a gemstone, it can be colloquially called a garnet, but it is never called a pyrope by itself. It is usually called a pyrope garnet. A pyrope comes from the combination of two ancient Greek words, pur and ōps, that mean “fire” and “eye” respectively.

As for the word Garnet, it comes from the Latin word granatus which means “seed-like” as it is usually found as a small rounded crystal stuck in the rock.

• It can be found on Navajo Nation land, and is not mined commercially.
• Navajo women pick the gemstones from the gravel carried by ants in the process of building their nests.

• This phenomenon of ants carrying the gemstones to the surface is believed to be peculiar to the southwestern harvester ant due to the high density of gemstone deposits in the American southwest region.
• One legend surrounding the gemstone details that Native Americans used the ant hill garnet for bullets although it has never been confirmed.

• Ant hill garnet belongs to the Pyrope group of garnets having aluminum as their second element.
• Ant hill garnet is best suited for protecting and linking the Base (1st) and Crown (7th) Chakras.

The other group includes uvarovite, grossular, and andradite, which has calcium as their second element. Members of each group are often found blending together within their prescribed group, and it is very rare to find a mixture between these two groups.

The gemstones are used by geologists to determine the temperature and pressure in which the garnet-bearing rock was formed.

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the main mode of transportation for Native Americans was by foot. They paid close attention to the ground of their country. They collected these gemstones, though it is unclear at what point they began to do so. By the mid-1500s, the gemstones were already in circulation among the Pueblos of New Mexico.

The Spanish reported finding turquoise, peridot, emerald, and garnet. Roughly three centuries later, the gemstones were discovered by the Americans, after the Mexican-American war. Fort Defiance would be established in 1851 in Navajo country, and the soldiers that were stationed there reported the abundance of the gemstones found in the area.

Today, many of these mineral deposits are located on Navajo Nation land in Arizona. It is for this reason that they are not commercially mined, but are rather collected exclusively by the Native American residents. The Navajo woman collect these gemstones from the ant hills and then they are sold. Sid Tucker LLC is the main dealer of ant hill garnets.

The pyrope garnet can also be an effective ally in helping one overcome anxiety. Sometimes anxiety arises due to certain social situations, and as such, can make someone feel awkward. The stone can help one obtain a certain level of composure to overcome difficult situations.

Ant hill garnet can be used to help link the Base (1st) and Crown (7th) Chakras. It allows one to stay grounded, simultaneously maintaining the spiritual wisdom associated with the Crown Chakra. When used in mediation, it facilitates inspiration and helps one trust their own intuitions fully, for acquiring knowledge.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for entertainment and reference purposes only. It is based on centuries of folklore, most of which came about before the age of modern medicine. It is not meant as actual medical information. For advice about any of the illnesses listed, please visit a qualified physician.