My Herkimer Diamonds 1/8 inch-3/4 inch and one 3 inch found in Herkimer County, NY (July-August 2007). At the time, professional commercial mining was going on at Herkimer Diamond Mines by these three expert gemoligists. My campsite was straight across from the cabin that these three guys came back to every night. They were blasting, cutting & mining at an area closed off to the public. They told me the owners didn't know where the veins were. I got all the info from them and found the Herkimers in the image above. Below is a image of the three guys in the commercial area of the Herkimer Diamond Mine. Notice the wall behind. The depth they are in is where the pockets are, about 10-15 feet down. They used dynamite to blast a hole on the mines floor. They used water cooled gas powered diamond saws to open the pockets/viens. All the blasted stuff was scattered across the public mine.

Herkimer diamond is the misnomerous name for double-terminated quartz first discovered in exposed outcrops of dolostone at Little Falls in Herkimer County, New York and the Mohawk River Valley (they are not diamonds). They became largely recognized after workmen discovered them in large quantities while cutting into the Mohawk River Valley dolostone in the late 1700s. Geologists discovered exposed dolostone in Herkimer County and began mining there. The popularity of mining for double-terminated quartz in the Herkimer County outcroppings is what lead to the name, Herkimer diamonds. Currently, Herkimer diamonds can be found in large quantity in at least Herkimer, Fulton, and Montgomery counties.

These quartz crystals, which formed extremely slowly in small pockets or vugs, have 18 facets (6 sides) and two terminations. They can be found clear, cloudy, or even containing a variety of rare impurities. Impurities (rare and general) can include clusters, scepters, enhydro, phantom, and bridge crystals. An enhydro contains a water pocket within the crystal, and a phantom is a crystal which contains an image of itself within.

The crystals referred to unofficially as "Herkimer Diamonds" are officially known as "Little Falls Diamonds" because they are found in a rock formation called "Little Falls Dolostone*." Some years ago a resident of the village of Herkimer bought one of the diamond mines, and started calling the crystals Herkimer Diamonds (this name has stuck), although none are found in the village. They are abundant in the City of Little Falls, and the public library there has a large display of the crystals.

*Dolomite is the name of a sedimentary carbonate rock and a mineral, both composed of calcium magnesium carbonate found in crystals. Dolomite rock (also called dolostone) is composed predominantly of the mineral dolomite. Limestone that is partially replaced by dolomite is referred to as dolomitic limestone, or in old U.S. geologic literature as magnesian limestone. Dolomite was first described in 1791 as the rock by the French naturalist and geologist, Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu (1750-1801) for exposures in the Dolomite Alps of northern Italy.

This Year (2007) My son and I spend most of July-August at the Herkimer KOA campground resort (the mine is across the street). The owner is Dr. Renee Scialdo Shevat. "Herkimer Diamonds" are named because of his resort.

You can find a few little diamonds 1/16-1/8 if you're lucky in a few hours or more but for a good haul you'll need to be around for a week or more. You can rent a small hammer (the "Made in China" hammer sold at Wal-Mart for $9.95). Actually I never saw a sledge hammer this small. That is useless, you need a 3, 4 or 6 pound hand sledge and a full size sledge hammer.  There are two mines at the resort which is right next to "The Ace of Diamonds" mine. You have to visit ALL mines in the area not just the "Herkimer Resort". If you are thinking of visiting one of these mines there is a charge of $7.00-$10.00 and you cannot bring in too large of a sledge hammer (unless you rent an area). The mining is a fun experience but hard work and you "may" find a few small crystals. For the entry price I don't believe it's worth it, so if you want some "Herkimer Diamonds", buy them on ebay. They are not rare but neither are Real Diamonds. Read my "The Diamond Invention" guide.

Remember the area Herkimer County NY is full of dolomite rock/dolostone so this material is everwhere!

There is no secret to finding Herkimer Diamonds up to 5/8 inch water clear (floaters). Just look for dolomite rock/dolostone with vugs (pockets). The rock has blackened pockets of 1/2 inch over the outside and is porous dolomite rock/dolostone. It is easier to break than non porous. Real large veins are underneath your feet and need blasting to get to. Working with chisels at the walls is painstaking, these guys are referred to as "Pocket Miners." and chuck aside small Herkimers.

Perfectly formed, very hard, clear, gem-like quartz crystal in vug in gray rock matrix. “Herkimer Diamonds” look like they have been cut & polished but they form naturally in holes inside dolomite rock/dolostone. 

NOTE

On ebay "Herkimer Diamonds" are sold from Herkimer County New York, Pakistan, China, Italy, Tibet and Argentina. They all originate in dolomite rock or dolostone. They are all "Double -Terminated Quartz Crystals" that occur in vugs/pockets in porous dolomite rock/dolostone. Don't get caught with "BUY DIRECT FROM UPSTATE NY!" OR " True Herkimer Diamond  Crystals can only be found in Herkimer county!"

Double -Terminated Quartz Crystals are what they are, it doesn't matter where they come from, we know they form inside dolomite rock/dolostone vugs/pockets wherever it exists!!!

THEY ARE ALL REAL HERKIMER DIAMONDS

I have Herkimer Diamonds from Herkimer County as well as Herkimer Diamonds from Argentina, both compared  are exactly the same.  Both are water clear. If you do a search for Dolomite Rock/ Dolostone in the Area of the Seller, you will find it. Herkimer may have the largest amount,  farmers even find them while plowing. So,  like I said, they are all still Double-Terminated Quartz Crystals formed in Dolomite Rock/ Dolostone Vugs!

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