Do you know what is a Herkimer diamond? Even though people call it a diamond, it is not a precious gem at all but a double terminated crystal found in the Mohawk River in New York state. The Mohawk Indians lived in Herkimer County for centuries, and they knew about this beautiful quartz crystal and considered it magic.
Gem collectors love this high vibration stone because of its 18 facets and two constant points. Since quartz typically has only one termination, Herkimer Diamonds are a unique exception. Most of them are colorless, but you can sometimes find pieces in various colors.
What are Herkimer Diamonds?
Herkimer diamonds (Stone of Attunement) are quartz crystals with the typical hexagonal quartz form. However, they are doubly terminated instead of terminated on their one end.
While quartz crystals’ hexagonal structure makes them elongated, Herkimer diamonds appear extended more apparently thanks to the two faceted (pointed) ends.
The Mohawk Indians found these diamonds in the 15th century in rocks and water streams in Herkimer County. Still, you can also look for them in Arizona, Canada, England, Norway, Germany, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and China.
Herkimer diamonds physical properties |
|
| Features | Diamond |
| Chemical classification | Silicate |
| Chemical composition | SiO2 |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Specific gravity | 2.6 to 2.7 |
| Mohs hardness | 7 |
| Color | Colorless to smoky |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Cleavage | None |
| Diagnostic properties | Conchoidal fracture, double terminations, hardness, and glassy luster |
| Uses | Used as a collector gem, holistic stone, talisman, amulet, or for making natural crystal jewelry |
Rare, doubly-terminated naturally faceted quartz crystals with diamond-like geometrical shapes appear without much contact with the host vuggy rock. They always have 18 facets and two termination points.
Perfect Herkimer diamonds are less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, but you can find much larger crystals occasionally. They are usually clustered, and tiny crystals are often attached to the larger pieces.
Crystals have outstanding clarity, but some stones contain impurities like air bubbles, rainbow inclusions, or black carbon deposits. Their color ranges from colorless to smoky, and high-quality pieces have impressive brilliance under natural light.
Unlike other crystals that rely on the host rock while growing, Herkimer diamonds often grow in clay deposits. You should know that no all Herkimer diamonds are the same. Some crystals can contain:
- Decayed plants
- Rare Enhydro crystal with a captured water bubble inside
- Anthraxolite, black coal-like pieces
- Enhydro crystal with an anthraxolite floating in the bubble
- Twins, skeletal, clusters, and phantom crystals in rare cases
Questionable Name
The term Herkimer diamonds is a misnomer since it is about quartz crystals, not real diamonds. However, locals and the mineral community have used it for more than a century.
Since that name is ingrained in the language, there is no need to make any sudden changes. On the other hand, it can mislead some people and convince them that the stone’s value is higher than it really is. For that reason, it is necessary to let the buyer know about its real nature while selling it.
Otherwise, a merchant could have legal complications because of the inadequate use of a mineral name, according to the Federal Trade Commission announced in 2015. You can expect that the crystal’s name will likely be changed at some point.
Herkimer Diamond Purpose
Many people believe that Herkimer diamonds have strong healing energy, and they are a crucial part of various spiritual sessions.
It is common to use these gemstones’ physical, emotional, and spiritual healing energy to activate Chakras, particularly the Crown Chakra and Third Eye.
You can use this crystal when facing an unfamiliar situation and territory or being surrounded by unknown people. Its energy will calm you down and guide you in the desired direction by amplifying your spiritual energy and keep the negative energy away.
Additionally, the Herkimer diamond will make the right balance between your spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical levels and help in releasing your body tension. You can also use a large stone for healing your bed, space, and the entire home.
Physical healing energy
Herkimer crystal is an excellent remedy against pain. It is enough to place it over the afflicted area, and the pain will disappear within a few minutes. This powerful purifier will clean your body of toxins, stimulates immune defenses, and correct imbalance in metabolic rate.
Emotional healing energy
Herkimer diamond will balance your delicate emotional harmony and encourage you to recognize who you are and your real potential. It will clear your mind of unconscious fears and allow you to relax and attract Life energy.
Spiritual healing energy
Herkimer diamond will purify your energy field and help you connect to higher spiritual domains. However, you should be careful since this high energy level is not suitable for too sensitive persons.
Chakra healing energy
Pure and crystal Herkimer diamond’s light will clear your chakras and allow spiritual energy to flow. It will also help you activate the Crown Chakra located at your head’s top.
It will balance your energy and enable you to see things as they are. Herkimer diamond will also direct your sight and mind by activating your Brow Chakra (Third Eye), your perception center.
Water-included Enhydro Herkimer diamond is a special crystal that resolves blockages and stimulates your Heart Chakra. It will help you interact with the external world and stay your own within the environment.
Love and relationship
The Herkimer diamond symbolizes the things that you need to go through to find happiness ever after. Many people use it to bring romance, love, and passion into their lives and heal from existing emotional trauma.
Keep the crystal close to your heart, and it will drive away suffering and love pain and release the fear about being loved and giving love. It will open you to positive emotions, teach you to appreciate your own feelings, and help you make a new beginning when necessary.
Linking people
The legend says that the Herkimer diamond is an exceptional stone that links people who need to be apart for a while. In such a case, it is necessary to keep two crystals together before parting. Once two people need to separate, each of them should keep one stone.
Ways to Use Herkimer Diamond
Place the Herkimer diamond under the pillow when you want to understand the message you have got in your dreams. You can also keep the stone in your pocket or purse or wear a necklace made of this crystal to boost your power of perception, clear your mind, and guide you through life.
Place a bigger stone at home to allow good energy flowing and harmonious communication among family members. Pair the Herkimer diamond with other stones to magnify their energy and get the desired result. The best matches are:
- Pink kunzite
- Quartz
- Scolecite
- Herderite
- Seraphinite
- Phenacite
- Herderite
- Danburite
- Azeztulite
- Moldavite
- Tanzanite
- Natrolite
- Celestite
- Angel Aura quartz
- Mangano Calcite
- Tiffany stone
- Zircon and Que Sera crystal
- Angel and Chlorite Phantom quartz
- Lithium, Satyaloka, Dream, Labradorite, and Aurora quartz
Real Diamond vs. Herkimer Diamond
As you have already known, actual diamonds are found in a rough form that requires painstakingly cut to get smooth faces and a desired geometrical shape. On the other hand, Herkimer diamonds are beautiful as soon as you take them out of the rock or clay deposits.
A diamond scores a 10 on a Moh’s hardness scale, while Herkimer diamond quartz crystal reaches a 7.5. Unlike real diamonds buried deep underground, you can find Herkimer diamonds above ground.
Herkimer Diamond Price
Herkimer diamonds are highly appreciated for their unique crystal appearance, naturally faceted ends, extraordinary clarity, and healing properties. Their quality is determined by 4Cs (carat, cut, clarity, and color), like real diamonds. You can use them as display stones or for designing various pieces of jewelry.
Their price is far lower than diamonds’ value but is always significantly higher than the amount of money you need to set aside for semi-precious gemstones. On average, you will pay approximately $75 for a Herkimer diamond weighing 0.176 ounces (5 g), but rare big stones can cost a fortune.
The final price always depends on the crystal’s color, carat weight, clarity, cut, and retailer you want to buy it from. Keep in mind that you should look for a certified stone with appropriate documentation.
Herkimer Diamond Hunt
Hunting for Herkimer diamonds is fantastic fun. Every time you break a rock, you will become excited while checking if you find one of these beautiful quartz crystals.
If you are a mineral admirer, you can visit Herkimer county in New York state and spend a day in pocket mining and looking for these unique stones. Keep in mind that you need permission for collecting these stones on private property, while that activity on the government land is illegal in New York.
Therefore, you need to find a commercial mine on New York State Routes 28 and 29 that allows digging crystals. You can rent a sledgehammer and other necessary tools at the mine for a symbolic fee.
Summary
Herkimer diamond is unique quartz from Herkimer County with harmonious energy and emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical healing properties.
It has 18 facets and two points, making it one of a kind among different quartz crystals available on the market. You can go looking for it on your own in the vuggy rock after breaking it or in clay deposits.
