Quartz

specimen number:
2062817

location:
Middleville, Herkimer Co., New York, USA

description:
A glassy gem double terminated crystal of quartz 2.3 cm in height coming off matrix and freestanding. In great condition all around. These are often called Herkimer Diamonds. A good matrix example. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

Herkimer County in New York is world famous for its exceptionally clear, double-terminated quartz crystals known as Herkimer diamonds. Geologically, these crystals formed within cavities in the Cambrian-aged Little Falls Dolostone, a sedimentary rock layer laid down hundreds of millions of years ago when shallow seas covered the region. Groundwater rich in silica seeped into small pockets and vugs within the dolostone, slowly crystallizing into quartz possessing brilliant natural facets and high clarity that often rival cut gemstones. Mining and collecting history in the area dates back to the late 18th century when turnpike construction and local quarrying first exposed the mineral-rich rock. Over the decades, what began as accidental discoveries by workers evolved into a thriving recreational and commercial collecting industry, drawing mineral enthusiasts from around the world to quarry sites in places like Middleville and Herkimer.

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