A Herkimer diamond is really a classification of a certain shaped quartz crystal, not a diamond at all. It is also sometimes called Little Falls Diamond or Middleville Diamond. While a real diamond is formed from carbon, a Herkimer diamond forms from dolomite. Scientists say that this process took place about five million years ago when magnesium infused with limestone and calcite.

It is always doubly terminated (has two pointy ends). It forms this way because when it grows it does not touch its host rock (Little Falls Dolostone), or touches it very little. It often comes with inclusions, instead of being crystal clear like a diamond. Inclusions are liquids trapped inside the crystal as the stone formed. These inclusions can be, but are not limited to, amethyst, smoky quartz, citrine, rose quartz, etc. A Herkimer diamond has 18 facets and a hardness of 7.5 on the MOH scale – hard enough to cut glass. The substance it is made out of is called silicon dioxide.

A Herkimer diamond gets part of its name from the location it comes from: Herkimer, New York. Why this location? It is because the Cambrian Sea had a hand in creating the Herkimer diamond. This seawater combined with the proper ingredients in the Adirondack Mountains to create this crystal.

While these specifically formed crystals have been found in locations such as Arizona, Afghanistan, Norway, Ukraine and China; they should only be marketed as Herkimer diamonds if they come indeed from the New York location. The diamond part of the name is simple: at first glance this crystal does look like a diamond, clear and brilliant.

A Herkimer diamond has no value to fine jewelers, even though the crystals come in a grade as high as AA. Artists however love to work with it creating wonderful cottage jewelry, as the stone is beautiful, but inexpensive. Scientists also appreciate this stone because of its unique makeup and metaphysical properties.

One of these properties is the stone’s ability to convert one type of energy into another. This process is called piezoelectricity. Piezoelectricity is the conversion of energy to light, heat and electrical voltage.

Folklore also mentions Herkimer diamonds and that they can assist a person obtaining balance on emotional, physical and mental levels. It is said to relieve tension and assists in obtaining peace of mind, as well as recalling of dreams. Mystical lore says it can also be used to remove toxins. It is therefore a popular stone in New Age circles and with spiritual healers.

Treasure Hunting For Emeralds. As with most gemstones the emerald can be created as the result of volcanic activity, where the extreme pressure and heat creates the gemstones. Another process knows as hydrothermal circulation, which in the most general sense is the circulation of hot water containing dissolved minerals passing through pockets in the underlying bedrock, evaporate caused the stones to cool as large crystals.

Emeralds belong to the beryl family of gemstones. This family also contains aquamarine, goshenite, morganite, heliodor, quartz, ruby and red beryl to name a few. The emerald has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 and is composed of chromium and vanadium. When iron sulfate pyrite is entered into the mix the result is the rich green color traditionally associated with the emerald.

The very rare Trapiche emerald displays a pattern of dark lines radiation from the center of the crystal like the spokes of a wheel. The term trapiche is derived from the miners belief that the spoke design reminded them of the processing wheel that is commonly used in Colombia that is used to extract the juice form the sugar cane.

Energy healers believe the emerald can heal relationships of the heart, health, clear vision, faith, intelligence, memory, inspiration, love, romance, cleansing and clairvoyance. It is believed to have more metaphysical properties than any other gemstone.

Emeralds can be found in Hiddenite County in North Carolina. The Emerald Hallow Mine will allow treasure hunters a verity of techniques when searching for this precious gemstone which is more valuable per carat than diamonds. The fees vary based on the type of hunting you plan to do.

Creeking:

Prospect by collecting sand and gravel from the creek bed, and then using a screen to wash the loose dirt away from the gravel and gemstones. Be sure to look at the material left in the screen from all angles including from underneath.

Picking:

Take a shovel, pick ax and a 5 gallon plastic bucket to the mine area and pick your area. Fill the bucked with loose dirt and gravel. You could then use the screening method or you could take the bucket to the stream or the sluicing area and then wash the material collected and look for your treasures.

Sluicing:

You can purchase pre-loaded buckets of gemstone bearing material from the mine operators and simply sit down at the sluicing area and wash the loose dirt away. Roll around the remaining material looking for the elusive green color.

Screening:

Loose dirt is shoveled onto a screen and the screen is then shaken to remove small particles and sand. Watch the screen while shaking it, emeralds will often flash as they roll around. Always examining the screening area with the sun facing you. The sunlight will reflect through the emeralds making them easier to spot. Examine the screenings from various angles and roll the gravel around while doing so. Before discarding the screenings always look from underneath the screen with the sun at your back. Many dusty stones can be missed until you see the light pass through them.

Tools are available for rent at the Emerald Hallow Mine, but should you decide to bring your own be sure to include, shovel, pick, screen, gloves, bucket, and safety glasses.

Happy Treasure Hunting.

Reference http://www.treasure-hunting-te am.com

The Garnet: Birthstone Charm of Warmth and Fire

Garnet jewelry has a history that dates back to the Bronze Age, circa 3000 BC. Garnets were found in ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece.

Traditionally, the garnet as a birthstone charm is recognized for the month of January. It has also been named as an alternative birthstone for the month of November. The garnet is also known as the “second anniversary” ring and is sometimes given as a gift to celebrate that occasion.

The name of the garnet derives from the Latin for grain, or “granum.” This was meant to describe the traditional red garnet that resembles the inside of a pomegranate and its seeds. It also refers to the roundness of the crystals in the gem.

Where is the Garnet Found?

Garnets are mined in six states in the United States: Arizona, Idaho, Arkansas, Utah, New Mexico, and Kentucky. They are sometimes referred to in slang as “The Arizona Ruby.”

Garnets are also mined in quantity in Africa. In Europe, garnet mining is done in Germany, Czechoslovakia and Spain.

The main site of garnet mining is in Russia’s Ural Mountains.

Healing Properties of Garnet Jewelry:

If you are wearing a garnet ring, garnet necklace, or garnet charm bracelet, you are wearing a metaphysically powerful as well as physically warming stone.

According to ancient Egyptians and Greeks, as well as New Age and Crystal healers, this gemstone has many of the highest healing qualities. Garnet is said to have restorative properties which are recommended in the healing of toxicity and blood poisoning as well as circulatory dysfunction. The garnet is also widely revered as helpful in arthritis and muscle pain due to its warming energy.

The several shades and qualities of garnet are purported to promote differing powers in spiritual and mental states. If you were to be suffering from stress and worry, you would want to wear a garnet charm bracelet of the more purple gemstones. The purple garnets include Grape and Mozambique.

Those who are experiencing a lack of purpose and focus may want to wear their birthstone ring of green garnet. Andradite and African Jade are beautiful examples of the green garnet family.

Orange shaded garnets are known to symbolize commitment and you may want to choose a beautiful Mandarin orange or Malaya garnet necklace as a gift for your special loved one.

Yellow-brown garnets, known as Hessonite, come mainly from Sri Lanka. Although these are thought to be of lower quality

Celtic wedding rings are a very common ring to receive in an Irish catholic marriage. These rings come in many styles and each symbolizes it’s very own special meaning.

One of the most common ring designs is the Claddagh ring. Although this isn’t just a wedding ring, it is a very common ring style with a very powerful meaning behind it. The Claddagh consists of two hands which are holding a heart with a crown on it.

The hands symbolizing friendship, the heart love, and the crown loyalty. Wearing the ring with the bottom of your heart pointing towards you means that you are married or that your hearts belongs to someone else, whereas wearing the ring with the bottom pointing away from you means that you do not.

The Triquetra Knot, or more commonly the Trinity Knot, is a Celtic knot with three points interlocking into each other. The symbolization of this knot is up for discussion but all forms seem to all agree on a meaning with three parts. Early Christian interpreted this meaning into the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost whereas in a Pagan culture it stands for the Mother, Crone, and Maiden. Now yet another understanding is a more metaphysical one where the three points represent the mind, body, and spirit. Off of this comes the Irish Shamrock which is the symbol for Trinity.

Many more Celtic wedding bands can be found and each with it’s own very special meaning. Picking the right one for you should be something that you think about and I’m sure that there is a design for everyone!