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GARNETS
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may
be considered to have been for many years the garnet center of the
world. As has been said, these garnets should technically be called
pyrope, which is derived from the Greek word meaning "fire," a name
given them in ancient times because of their brilliant color.
In America some fine garnets have been found. These are termed, however, rhodolite, or American rubies, and
are really much like almandite. They occur most abundantly in Arizona,
New Mexico, and southern Colorado. They are especially abundant among
anthills, being removed by the ants because their size stands in the
way of the excavations of the busy insects. They are gathered largely
by the Navajo Indians and are sold to American gem dealers. In color
and brilliancy they often surpass the African gems known as cape rubies.
The word carbuncle is often popularly used to designate a garnet. This, however, is a misnomer. Ordinarily any fine red stone cut en cabochon might be termed a carbuncle. This latter name came from the Roman word carbunculus, which in turn is a derivation of the Latin word carbo, meaning
coal, and was at that time bestowed on any stone displaying the
fire-like color and reflection which is characteristic of the various
stones now termed
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