Mining Tips for Herkimer Diamonds
Herkimer diamonds are double-terminated quartz crystals found in Herkimer County, New York. These stones are almost 500,000,000 years old and rate a seven on the hardness scale (real diamonds score a 10 on this scale). Herkimer diamonds were formed from compacted sediment and are now gathered by both collectors and tourists.
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Where to Mine
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Two privately owned mines in Herkimer County are popular destinations for Herkimer enthusiasts. Both Herkimer Diamond Mine and Ace of Diamonds Mine are located in Middleville, New York and allow visitors to mine for a fee. Both mines run nearby campgrounds and Ace of Diamonds Mine provides guided mining for an additional fee. Do not try to collect Herkimer diamonds from parks, as mining on government-owned lands is illegal.
Find-and-Break Method
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This mining method involves breaking open rocks to see if a Herkimer is inside. Sometimes multiple Herkimers will be located within a single rock, although you may break rocks for a long time before you make your first find. Once the rock is broken open, any Herkimers will be easily seen within the rock's cavities. For this type of mining, you will need safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying stone.
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Pocket Mining
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This type of mining can yield the most startling discoveries and is also called "cavity prospecting." For this type of mining, you will need to search the walls of the quarry for dome-shaped areas. You must then break through these to get to the pockets or cavities inside where you may find Herkimer diamonds. This is the most labor-intensive type of mining, and it requires tools like wedges, sledgehammers and chisels. You must also be sure to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from debris.
No Tool Mining
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Visitors may also be able to find smaller Herkimers by simply looking at the debris on the mine's floor. Sometimes miners will leave smaller Herkimers behind or the diamonds will go flying when rocks are broken apart. A great way to mine with children, if your time is limited or if you aren't comfortable with mining tools, this method requires sharp eyes and a treasure hunter's patience.
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