Herkimer Diamonds are brilliant double-terminated quartz crystals found exclusively in and around Herkimer County, New York, renowned for their exceptional clarity and natural diamond-like brilliance. Despite their name, these are not actual diamonds but rather naturally formed quartz crystals that occur in distinctive eighteen-faced formations with terminations on both ends, eliminating the need for cutting or polishing. These remarkable crystals form within Dolostone cavities over millions of years, developing their characteristic water-clear transparency and natural faceting that gives them their diamond-like appearance and intense light refraction.
Specifications:
- Color range: Water-clear to slightly smoky, with occasional inclusions of black carbon, rainbows, or enhydros (water bubbles)
- Hardness: 7 to 7.5 on Mohs scale
- Origin: Exclusively Herkimer County, New York USA; similar quartz found elsewhere but not true "Herkimer Diamonds"
- Sizes: Typically range from tiny 3mm crystals to exceptional 2+ inch specimens; most commonly 5mm to 15mm
- Shapes: Natural double-terminated eighteen-faced crystals with pointed ends; occasionally single-terminated
- Transparency: Exceptional water-clear transparency with brilliant light refraction
- Luster: Adamantine (diamond-like) when natural, creating intense sparkle and brilliance
- Inclusions: May contain black carbon inclusions, rainbow inclusions, or rare enhydro water bubbles
