Herkimer Diamonds

"Herkimer diamonds" are doubly terminated quartz crystals found in Herkimer County, New York and surrounding areas. 

These crystals have the typical hexagonal form of quartz; however, they are doubly terminated which means they have a point on each end. This is a result of the crystals growing with very little or no contact with their host rock.

Doubly terminated crystals are very rare. This is why "Herkimer diamonds" are a sought after semi-precious stone.

The "Herkimer diamonds" of New York were known by the Mohawk people and early settlers. They were found in stream sediments and plowed fields and were used as amulets and tools. They were also traded from tribe to tribe.

"Herkimer diamonds" share most of the physical properties of other forms of quartz. They are almost always transparent and range from colorless to smoky in color. 

Herkimers rival true diamonds. A true diamond found in nature is a rough appearing glass-like stone. The true diamond must be painstakingly cut to give it smooth faces and a geometrical shape. On a hardness scale, a true diamond is a ten. Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals falls at a 7.5 on the scale, making them suitable for use in jewelry. They are naturally faceted, each having eighteen facets and 2 points.

The name "Herkimer diamond" is a misnomer, because the crystals called "Herkimer diamonds" are quartz crystals rather than diamond crystals.