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The beautiful clear colorless doubly terminated quartz crystals called "Herkimer Diamonds" found near Herkimer, NY, can very quickly be removed from their hard rock matrix with a hammer and chisel. A diamond bladed saw would ensure a greater likelihood of success; even little diamond blades on a Dremel or Foredom tool will do. (Protect your lungs and eyes!) Bear in mind that nice crystals in matrix are more interesting, and more valued by collectors than crystals that have been broken off the matrix.
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What is diamond quartz?
You may be thinking of a Herkimer diamond, which is quartz, not diamond.
Are herkimer diamonds real?
Yes, herkimer diamonds are real herkimer diamonds. From their Wikipedia page: "Herkimer diamond is a generic name for a double-terminated quartz crystal discovered within exposed outcrops of dolostone in and around Herkimer County, New York and the Mohawk River Valley." Chemically, they are different from diamond mineral, which is formed from carbon. Quartz is formed from silica, or silicon dioxide, SiO2, and is a common mineral on earth.
Where the diamond mine in the US?
Herkimer County, New York State
Where are Diamond Mines located in the US?
Herkimer County, New York State
Is quartz diamond crystal the same as diamond settings in wedding rings?
Quartz diamond crystal, commonly known as Herkirmer diamond, is not the same as diamond. A Herkimer diamond can be set in a wedding ring.
Who cuts Herkimer Diamonds?
The same way any stone is cut, Herkimer diamonds are not diamonds, its a type of quartz.
How would you separate diamonds from Herkimer diamonds?
Herkimer "diamonds" are twinned quartz crystals and so could be recognised by crystal shape alone. also, diamonds superior hardness would make it stand out from a Herkimer "diamond" if you were to test the two against a beryl or corundum crystal.
Where are minerals mined in the US?
You can dig for gemstones in certain mines around the country and around the world. The type of gemstone you can find depends on where you are located.
How do you get a herkimer diamond out of its matrix?
The lustrous, transparent, doubly-terminated quartz crystals from mines around Herkimer, New York, called Herkimer diamonds, present a dilemma for collectors. They are quite brittle, and found in very tough silicified dolostone. Crystals in matrix are more interesting and more valuable than crystals without matrix, so you generally don't really want to remove them. Trimming is best done with a diamond saw, or a pressure trimmer. If you really want to just pop the crystals off, a hammer and chisel will do that just fine.
Where is the Historic Herkimer County Friends Of in Herkimer New York located?
The address of the Historic Herkimer County Friends Of is: Po Box 703, Herkimer, NY 13350-0703
When was John Herkimer born?
John Herkimer was born in 1773.
When did John Herkimer die?
John Herkimer died in 1848.
