HerkimerHistory.com Home Page
Since 1999 there has been considerable new research related to Herkimer diamond mines -deposits.  This site combines this recent information with new field, and laboratory, evidence from each of the Herkimer diamond mines - deposits.  There are over 50 individual webpages of information about Herkimer diamonds, presented in a format that is easy to understand.  The goal to be the most informative FREE website about Herkimer diamonds, meaning, definition, tips, how and why, and the different mines - deposits in the region.  This site will be updated regularly.
This site was last updated on January, 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 - deposit 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 deposit (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 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 Diamond 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 deposit 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/deposits 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!

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The ideas on this site are the opinions of the author, theory researcher, mineral collector 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 on "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 - deposits.  It is expected to be a work in progress, with monthly updates .  It is now, and will always, remain open to community input AND it will remain a free public service.  Please return back 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 deposit (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.  The first feature will be some photos of  "common" crystals (more easily found) that are also unique to that one location. Eventually every deposit description will contain the following information:

- 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 several years to collect.

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: Why are they so clear?  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.
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.

Herkimer Diamond Website Introduction:

Scroll Down for links to more information and pictures.  Click any blue diamond with words/letters saying where the link will take you .
You can also use the deposit index to locate information on mineral deposits in the region
   Pretty crystal 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
There are many more artistic photos of textures/features found on and inside Herkimer diamonds:  Click here ->
Looking for other mineral photos - click on the general mineral sequence below (scroll down)
A special page of great Herkimer diamond photos.  These are photgraphs by Jeff Scovil, a life long friend and fellow mineral enthusiast.  He is known for his excellent mineral photography work.
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.
If you find something odd or unique then please tell us about it!