Herkimer Diamonds

New York's State Mineral & Popular Quartz Dig Sites

- LA BERRY

500 million-year-old Herkimer diamonds from New York's central Leatherstocking region are bringing ancient history to the forefront trending in dig sites for rockhounds and diamond alternatives for the socially conscious jewelry crowd.

WHAT ARE HERKIMER DIAMONDS?

Herkimer diamonds were designated the official state mineral of New York in 2012. "Herks," as they are called, are naturally faceted (18 facets) quartz and score a seven on the Mohs hardness scale. Only the topaz, ruby, sapphire and (carbon) diamonds are harder. The doubly terminated points (natural faces) on these hexagonal quartz crystals have made them coveted for both their elegant luster and metaphysical status as an energy amplifier.

The county where they are found is named for Nicolas Herkimer, a Mohawk Valley native son and Revolutionary War brigadier general.

Herkimer diamonds are one of seven rare gems and minerals found in the Empire State. Here are the other six…

1. Almandine Garnet (Adobe Stock/S_E)

2. Calcite (Adobe Stock/vvoe)

3. Celestine (Adobe Stock/Yuliya)

4. Dravite (Adobe Stock/vvoe)

5. Magnetite (Adobe Stock/vvoe)

6. Sphalerite (Adobe Stock/Wirestock Exclusives)

HOW HERKIMER DIAMONDS FORMED

The genesis of these gemstones begins in a geologic corner of Cambrian Earth with dolostone and limestone rock. These porous rocks allowed the flow of mineral- and silicon-bearing fluids and intersected with the North/South and East/West fault lines where tectonic shifts and fissures added to that seepage.