next next previous previous
Hydrocarbons, Oil, Follow:  The “holes” in the dolomite rock are covered, sometimes filled, with oil.
Click next to continue the story
It is estimated that more than 60% of the world’s oil reserves (as of 2106 - not including fracking) is found to be hosted within holes in carbonate rock. The Herkimer district can be viewed as a “fossilized” oil deposit within a carbonate rock. The oil is not flowing anymore but all the signs are left behind to tell us that it was at one time liquid.  See the hydrocarbon page for this evidence.
Hydrocarbon Page Hydrocarbon Page
The significance of this oil, for the formation of Herkimer diamonds, is that this oil was being introduced into the rock along with, and episodic with, solutions containing the ingredients needed to make Herkimer diamonds.  This quartz - oil interaction has been the focus of our field investigations since 2014, and new discoveries continue to occur.  To see the preserved evidence of oil and the quartz solutions interaction see the following page:
Quartz and Hydrocarbon Page Quartz and Hydrocarbon Page
The   presence   of   hydrocarbons in   the   birth   place   of   Herkimer diamonds      is      probably      the single    most    influential    factor contributing   to   their   “diamond like” form and brilliance.
Although we are still studying the evidence left behind from this mixing of oil and quartz bearing fluids in the Herkimer Mining District, we can say with fairly high confidence the following: When Herkimer diamonds are found within cavities that have a strong presence of black hydrocarbon they have a high chance of being being both clear and brilliant, and also containing curved quartz features. This is something Herkimer diamond miners and collectors have known for decades and yet there has not been a geologic theory put forth to explain this feature that is almost universal across the entire district.  They have been given the name “jewelry boxes” because of the high brilliance shown by the Herkimer diamonds that are dug out of the black mass within.  From our ongoing Sphere-Curved Feature research project we can also say that the Herkimer diamonds in these black pockets will contain microscopic evidence of quartz-hydrocarbon interaction while the fluids were making Herkimer diamonds.
Best Website for Herkimer Diamond Information - Made Possible by Collector Donations
The information, and photography, on this website is copyright protected by W. David Hoisington, Ph. D. unless another author/photographer is cited.
Welcome to the New Herkimer Diamond Story!
Return often and follow this developing story. Refresh your browser (right click) to see new updates
#2 #2
Updated - 03/09/2019
Contribute to Herkimer Diamond research and have your name below!
On going research On going research
Thank you Shannon Haley Wilbur for the donation of 30 samples from the Fonda region.1/05/2019 and 3/2/2019 Check out her Facebook.
Photo Request!
In Place Pocket Photos