HerkimerHistory.com
This site was last updated on August 19, 2009

Quartz Crystal Habits within Herkimer Diamond Deposits

Definitions and Scope:

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Larger photos of the thumbnails presented on the main "Crystal Form" page.  Included is identification information and the source link is embedded there (just click). In some cases additional information and comments are provided for each photo.

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Twins and Odd Shaped Crystal Forms

Below is a picture showing a series of quartz domes that were surrounded by carbon.
From Fonda, NY (DA - 2007).  This is not a typical shape for Herkimer quartz.   Photo Dr. D.
These are "dimples" (curved indentations), on the face of a crystal. These are caused by carbon contact.  Fonda, NY.  (DA - 1992).   Photo Dr.D.
This is a large curved surface on a crystal that was packed in carbon.  Note the attempt to form a termination (bottom of photo).  Fonda, NY (DA - 2008) specimen donated by "Deputy Mike".  Photo Dr.D.
A public service project always open to input  from the community interested in Herkimer diamonds.
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Web page author - W. David Hoisington, Ph.D.

To the left is a Jeff Scovil photo, taken 1995 and donated 2009.  It is 3.7 cm long and from the Rod Robinson collection, labeled "from Herkimer, NY"  You can sort of see the classic Herkimer form in the top termination, but this is obviously a unique crystal shape.

Similar crystals have been seen at the TCR location and when double terminated the bottom termination points 180 degrees in the other direction.  A hint of this can be seen in the photos below where both terminations are seen with the 180 degree rotation.

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These two photos are of a crystal from TCR (Photo Dr. D., crystal 3 cm long).  Note the elongated prismatic habit like the above crystal.  In addition there is a single termination face that is enlarged (see the black arrows) on both terminations of this crystal. 
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Another crystal from TCR (photo Dr. D., crystal is 4 cm point to point).  At the arrow is a single termination, but at the other end (top) are multiple terminations in parallel arrangement. 
This dome habit for quartz in the Herkimer Mining District is not uncommon, but it seldom makes it into collections.  Most of it is likely resting under piles of waste rock at the mines.  The formation of these domes might be linked to the same processes that made the quartz spheres.  Click here ->