In the arid landscapes of the Southwestern United States, a remarkable and rare gemstone emerges not from mines dug by human hands, but from the industrious efforts of little ants.
Known as Ant Hill Garnets, these vibrant red stones are found exclusively in the Four Corners area, where nature has devised its own method of gemstone collection.
These garnets are not just another mineral extracted through conventional means; they are brought to the surface by the Southwestern Harvester Ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, which inadvertently mines them while expanding their underground colonies.
This unique method of collection, performed by one of nature’s smallest laborers, adds an extraordinary chapter to the story of these captivating gemstones.
Ant Meets Garnet
Surprisingly, these small, exquisite stones are mined not by human hands but by the Southwestern Harvester Ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus. These fairly large, reddish-brown ants bring the precious gemstones to the surface as they dig and repair their underground nests. The ant hills, while only a few inches high, can spread out up to 4 feet wide on the surface and descend up to 8 feet underground.
The name “garnet,” derived from the Latin word for “seed,” aptly describes how these seed-eating, industrious insects expand their tunnels, inadvertently mining tiny garnet stones along with other small pebbles. Stones too large for the ants to transport are left in place, with the ants digging around them.
Periodic rains transport the loose, discarded stones down the sides of the ant hills, simultaneously washing them clean. The garnets, with their colorful, sparkling appearance, stand out against the surrounding soil.
Collecting Anthill Garnets
A Native American Enterprise
Ant Hill Garnets have been collected by Native tribes, especially the Navajo and Hopi, for centuries. These tribes encountered the sparkling stones while traversing established western trails, long before the Spanish explorers arrived in the New World. By the mid-1500s, these highly-prized gems were already widely distributed locally as trade items.
Local Navajo tribe members collect these gems from around the margins of the ant hills, where they accumulate in significant numbers. They’re crafted into native jewelry and sold in bulk to lapidaries. Most of these gemstones are smaller than 1 carat—which is the maximum size the ants can carry. This limitation is beneficial, as the intense, dark-red color of larger garnets can appear almost black, which restricts the light to pass through.
While some stones are cut for use in jewelry, most are tumbled, drilled, and polished for use in beaded crafts, including ceremonial rattles. Approximately ninety percent of these gemstones are a deep ruby red, a hue influenced by the presence of aluminum in the surrounding materials. These garnets may also appear black, green, or even clear, but never blue. Occasionally, rhodolite and spessartine are found mixed in.
Regional and Cultural Significance
Found only on reservation lands, these Arizona stones are naturally surfaced by ants and are not commercially mined like other garnets. Collection is restricted to local, native-born Navajo tribe members.
Ant Hill Garnets have also been found in smaller quantities in
The availability of Ant Hill Garnets relies on the industriousness of local red ants. Since these ants face threats from invasive species, their continued prosperity is crucial not only for their ecological role but also for the continued supply of these unique gems. Known for their durability and a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale, Ant Hill Garnets are a testament to the natural and cultural wealth of Native American communities.
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