Herkimer Diamond

Exceptionally clear, double-terminated quartz crystals that grew in cavities in dolostone.

Herkimer Diamond specimen — Photo: Ra'ike (see also: de:Benutzer:Ra'ike), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to identify herkimer diamond

Water-clear crystals pointed at both ends.
Short, stubby shape with bright faces.
Hardness 7 — not a real diamond.

Often confused with

Quartz
Ordinary quartz is usually attached at one end and longer.
Compare side by side
Diamond
Diamond is octahedral and far harder.
Compare side by side

Where it's found

Herkimer County, New York

Uses

Collector crystals and jewelry.

Rock tumbling

Not suitable for tumbling. Keep the natural faces.

Did you know?

Visitors can dig for them at fee-mining sites in Herkimer County.

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