What is a Herkimer diamond?
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.
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