HerkimerHistory.com Home Page
Since 1999 there has been considerable new research related to Herkimer diamond mines - sites.  This site combines this recent information with new field, and laboratory, evidence from each of the Herkimer diamond mines - sites.  There are over 50 individual webpages of information about Herkimer diamonds, presented in a format that is easy to understand.  Much of the information is new, original, and has not been published elsewhere.  The goal to be the most informative FREE website about Herkimer diamonds, meaning, definition, tips, what, how and why, and the descriptions of different mines in the region.  This site will be updated regularly.
This site was last updated on July, 2010

Definitions and Scope:

The material on this website presents the history of Herkimer diamonds, pictures of all the minerals, and information about every mine - site in the Herkimer district. It is an ongoing COMMUNITY research project (meaning that people contribute to the project) focusing specifically on depsits of quartz crystals in and around Herkimer county, New York, USA.  The Herkimer diamond site (a Herkimer diamond mine if it is a commerical venture) MUST contain double terminated quartz crystals showing the characteristic form of "Herkimer Diamonds".  Click on Crystal Growth (the blue diamond below) for more information on the different Herkimer quartz crystal habits from this region.  The scope of the material found on this website includes how Herkimer Diamonds were formed, in visual presentations that are easy to understand.  More detailed scientific information is available including links to resources covering a wide variety of topics, as well as public resource information on each of the deposits.  It is a site of information and beauty.   Enjoy and pass it on!

Herkimer Diamonds and Human History:

Updated History of How Herkimer Diamonds Were Formed:

Click on the diamond below for a list of the crystal pictures

Old Versions of How Herkimer Diamonds Were Formed:

History of the Herkimer Diamond Host Rock:

General Sequence of Mineral Formation:

Herkimer Diamond Community Page:

More Scientific Information and Links:

 Special Recognition and Links to Resources on Herkimer Diamonds:

Herkimer diamonds have been of interest to humans since the region was inhabited by Native Americans.  Information on the early historical information, up to the start of commercial mining, is presented.  Click on the "Human History" diamond (on the right) for more information.
Herkimer diamonds occur largely within a rock that is called the "Little Falls Dolomite".  It is here called Herkimer host rock, or the host rock.  Information on how this rock was formed, with emphasis on features that might have contributed to the formation of Herkimer diamonds.  Click on "Host Rock".

It is proposed here that for the entire Herkimer Mining District (see link to map below) there is a general sequence of 17 fluid flow events that   affected the host rock.  This sequence was connected to the formation of the minerals seen within Herkimer Mining district.  Such a detailed sequence is for the first time described here . Following a discussion of this general sequence there is a discussion of the mineral formation sequence for each individual Herkimer diamond deposit (research being done) showing that each site has a unique mineral sequence, but also shares similarities with the general sequence.

Presented here is a summary of the "old versions" of how people thought Herkimer diamond mines/sites were formed.  There is a discussion on each of the main points contained within some of the old theories. 

New information, mostly presented within the above web pages, suggests that a new theory is needed to explain all the features seen within the various Herkimer deposits.  In the future, videos will be used to help convey this information.

There are many articles, and books, that contain scientific information useful in understanding how Herkimer diamond mines were formed.  This scientific material is organized according to topic, and comments are provided suggesting the relevance to the formation of Herkimer diamond deposits.

Those people, companies, who make contributions to this Herkimer Diamond research project will be listed here (with their permission).  In addition a list of links to resources for mineral collectors, "rock hounds", is presented.

A group forum where people can ask questions, talk about their crystal finds (or frustrations) and share information with each other.  Join and start a chat about Herkimer topics!

Click on the diamond below
Click on the diamond below
Click on the diamond below for a list of the minerals in the Herkimer district, then click on the name for photos
Click on the diamond below
Click on the diamond below
Click on the diamond below
Click on the diamond below
Click on the diamond below
The ideas on this site are the opinions of the author, theory researcher, mineral collector, artist and web site designer, W. David Hoisington, Ph. D. (Dr. D.) - - unless another author or website is cited.
Click below for web page on a specific deposit (Herkimer diamond mine)

Diamond Acres: Fonda, NY  abbreviation DA

The best website about  "Herkimer Diamonds"

There is a large amount of information to be collected and added to a create detailed website on all the Herkimer diamond mines - sites.  It is expected to be a work in progress, with monthly updates .  It is now, and will always remain, open to community input AND a free public service.  Please return and Check back for updates . 

Started August, 2008

NOTE:  There is a brief summary of the theory on this page.  More research will help to clarify this theory. Please see the link to New Research Projects.
You can help improve this FREE public website by donating photographs, comments, and/or "junk" specimens that can be used for analysis. Visit the "How Can I Help?" page
There is quite a bit of information on this page that will be used in presenting an updated history of how Herkimer diamonds were formed.    The information on this page is also, at times, very scientific.
Included on this web page are links to healing and metaphysical information about Herkimer diamonds. This page is still under construction.

Every Herkimer diamond site (or Herkimer diamond mine ), in what is here called "The Herkimer Mining District" (see map link below), is slightly different. Herkimer enthusiasts know this - but there exists no detailed information about these differences, nor a clear description why.  On each mine page (after and introduction), the first feature will be photos of  "common" crystals (more easily found) that are also unique to that one location. Eventually every deposit description will contain the following information (except where there are restrictions):

- A diagram showing the mineralization sequence
- Scientific information on the deposit (if available)
- Mineral photos representing all the minerals, and relationships
- Location photos, including pocket photos, collecting photos and videos
- Unique and the same, which is a section comparing the deposit to others
- Maps, directions, facilities, resources and collecting tips

All of this information is not yet available and will take many years to collect. The goal is to get it all put in one website so that it is easy for the publice to access.
                                  YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

Easy to understand videos are used here in presenting the material
A public service project always open to input  from the community interested in Herkimer diamonds.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Herkimer Diamonds:

There are questions about Herkimer diamonds that are asked with regularity.  For example: What is a Herkimer diamond?  Why are they in NY? Why are they so clear?  Why are some smoky? Listed here are those questions people have sent by email, or have mentioned on the community page (send us yours!).  It is important to understand that answers to these questions are based on theory.  Most answers given will be linked to a theory about how Herkimer diamonds are formed, and the science in support of that theory (see the new theory page). 

Click on the diamond below

Herkimer Diamonds - Quartz and the forms it takes at Herkimer:

Herkimer diamonds are not diamonds, but a mineral called quartz.  Quartz comes in a wide variety of forms (habits) within the Herkimer District.  On this page (click the blue diamond) what is presented are clear, sharp pictures (whenever possible) that show the various quartz crystal habits, along with comments.  One of the questions posed is "What is a Herkimer diamond"?  What type of crystal?  Also see the FAQ below.

If you have problems viewing any part of this website, or have any questions about Herkimer diamonds, or you have comments  about things you have seen - just send an email. 

Also send an email if you would like to be on the "FriendsOfHerkimers" email list to get regular updates on the research as it happens (or if you want to get off the list).

Herkimer Diamond Mines, NY, Introduction to the Website:

Scroll Down for links to more information and Herkimer diamond photos.  Click any blue diamond with words/letters saying where the link will take you .
   Pretty Herkimer diamond pictures - click on the blue diamond link below

This feature is NOW up and running (as of 12/15/08)

If you disagree with anything on this website, and have contrary evidence, please send it!
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They look like this, but this is not a link, just an example
Looking for other mineral photos - click on the general mineral sequence below (scroll down)
Jeff Scovil's Herkimer Diamond Photography

To see Jeff's photography click here ->

Don't just visit - do something! We need your help.
Do you have a collection from the Herkimer Mining District?  Check out the above link to Jeff Scovil's photography page and see how your collection could appear on this website.

 

Turtle Clan Ridge abbreviation TCR

Herkimer diamond jewelry.  This is a new page (as of December, 2009) and it will need community support if it is to develop further.  Send your jewery photos!!
If you find something odd or unique then please tell us about it!
Please complete the survey at the website below
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New updates usually come during  and following the summer.
sequence diagram is done
sequence diagram is done

Google Rankings - Updated July 1, 2010

Herkimer diamond research

Term Used in Search 

Ranking 

1 and 2

Herkimer diamond theory

1 and 2

Herkimer diamond habit

1 and 2

Herkimer diamond inclusion

Herkimer diamond druze

Herkimer diamond zones

Herkimer diamond formation

2

1 and 2

1 and 2

4 and 5

Herkimer diamond meaning

4 

Herkimer diamond definition

6

Scroll to the bottom to see our Google rankings

Herkimer diamond geology

9

Herk. diamond pocket photo

2 and 3

There are many new ideas on this web site.  They are to be considered the intellectual property of W. David Hoisington, Ph. D. - - please cite the author, date and website when using this information in other documents.

Herkimer diamond website

6

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