Herkimer Diamond Quartz Crystal - Learn Here!

All 10 videos in one place! Enjoy!

1 - What is a Herkimer Diamond? 00:00
2 - Herkimer Diamond Detective 03:02
3 - Counting Crystal Faces 05:18
4 - When Did They Form? 07:48
5 - What’s On the Inside? 10:11
6 - What is Contact? 12:19
7 - Let’s Talk Safety 14:36
8 - Ways to Find Herks 17:00
9 - Tools to Get You Started 19:34
10 - The “Golden Rule” 22:08

Herkimer Diamond Quartz Crystals are amazing minerals that can be located in the Mohawk Valley Region in New York State. Want to learn about Herkimer Quartz Crystals? Start here! This will get the information "ball" rolling. Then search for more examples of miners at different mines, showing their techniques and beautiful finds.

Time Code
Video 1 – “What is a Herkimer Diamond?”
00:00 – Introduction
00:29 – Video 1 - What is a Herkimer diamond?
00:41 – “Diamond” is a nickname for Herkimer Diamond
00:43 – Quartz is very common mineral - silicon and oxygen
00:50 – What is a crystal?
00:58 – Geologist, Mineralogists and Prospectors study crystals
01:07 – Why are Herkimer diamonds nicknamed diamonds?
01:26 – Where are Herkimer diamonds located?
01:31 – Mohawk Native Americans collected and traded Herkimer diamonds
01:35 – Herkimer diamonds were named after war general Nicholas Herkimer.
01:52 – Herkimer diamonds originated in a defined area in NY State.

Video 2 – Herkimer Diamond Detective
03:02 – Video 2 - Learn and Discern
03:08 – What is prospecting?
03:19 – Are you ready to learn and discern about Herkimer Diamonds?
03:29 – How to be a Herkimer Diamond Detective?
03:36 – No two Herkimer Diamond crystals are the same.
03:54 – Calcite, dolomite and drusy - other minerals found
04:02 – Crystals contain orange and black minerals inside

Video 3 – Counting Crystal Faces
05:18 – Video 3 - What are two similar characteristics of Herkimer diamonds
05:35 – Pointed ends are call doubly terminated
05:49 – Herkimer diamonds typically have 18 faces
06:08 – How to count faces on a Herkimer diamond crystal?

Video 4 – When Did They Form?
07:48 – When were Herkimer Diamonds formed?
08:04 – Process started with the Cambrian period
08:16 – How did dolostone form?
08:26 – Herkimer diamonds formed in dolostone cavities
08:37 – Herkimer diamonds are 325 million years old
09:02 – Herkimer diamond crystals score in the 7 range on the Mohs hardness scale

Video 5 – What’s On the Inside?
10:11 – Video 5 - What’s inside Herkimer diamonds?
10:34 – Inclusions are solids, liquids, gasses
10:42 – A sample of anthraxolite
10:52 – Iron is orange in color
10:56 – Pyrite and marcasite can be found around Herkimer diamonds
11:05 – What does moisture do to Herkimer diamonds?

Video 6 – What is Contact?
12:19 – Video 6 - What is contact on Herkimer diamonds?
12:35 – Herkimer diamond matrix pieces
12:49 – Crystals will crack if removed from the matrix
12:55 – Why are there contact marks on Herkimer diamonds?
13:11 – What is a key mark on a Herkimer diamond?
13:24 – Look for contact marks on Herkimer diamonds

Video 7 – Let’s Talk Safety
14:36 – Video 7 - number one rule when prospecting
14:59 – Safety considerations before you go
15:11 – Prospecting safety equipment
15:34 – Check your surrounding before you prospect
15:52 – Spatial awareness when prospecting

Video 8 – Ways to Find Herks?
17:00 – Video 8 - Herkimer diamond ground scores
17:30 – Herkimer diamonds in untouched dirt
17:38 – Herkimer diamonds found in tailings dirt
17:51 – Herkimer diamonds found in tailings rocks
18:04 – Herkimer diamonds found with hard rock mining
18:12 – Hard rock mining is not for beginners

Video 9 – Tools to Get You Started
19:34 – Video 9 - Basic tools for prospecting Herkimer Diamonds
20:03 – How to find micro-sized Herkimer diamonds
20:29 – How to avoid scratching Herkimer diamonds
20:38 – Containers for Herkimer diamonds
20:43 – Take a first aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray
20:48 – Protect knees, eyes, hands and feet when prospecting
20:56 – Still need tools? Call ahead and ask.
21:00 – Get downloadable prospecting tool list for beginners

Video 10 – The “Golden Rule”
22:08 – Video 10 - Herkimer diamond public mines have rules that are important
22:20 – The golden rule when at a Herkimer diamond public mine
22:27 – What to do with an active digging spot at a Herkimer diamond mine
22:38 – Smoking and inappropriate language tip at the mine
22:45 – Never go on private property without permission
22:48 – Carry in and carry out rule at Herkimer diamond public mines
22:52 – You are responsible for your own safety