Most fiery red pyropes are colored principally by iron, so they have a brownish tone. However, a few are colored by chromium, like rubies, and even approach their color. In Arizona and Utah, ants eject these gems from their nests onto the surface of the ground. Thus their nickname “ant hill garnets.” Pyropes sell for roughly $20 a carat. Faceted pyrope garnet with rich slightly brownish red color. Photo by Мухин Кирилл. Licensed under CC By-SA 4.0.