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Huge Herkimer Diamond on Sparkling, Druzy Quartz - New York
This is an exceptionally nice cluster of clear "Herkimer Diamonds" on a druzy quartz crystal encrusted matrix which really gives this specimen some sparkle. It was collected from The Ace of Diamonds Mine in Herkimer County, New York and has about seven relatively large herkimer diamonds clustered together, with the largest measuring 2.1" long from termination to termination. Most people are used to seeing Herkimers free of the matrix, so these ones in matrix are very interesting specimens.
Comes with an acrylic display stand to assist with presentation.
Comes with an acrylic display stand to assist with presentation.
About Herkimer Diamonds
Herkimer Diamonds are not actual diamonds, but rather double-terminated quartz crystals found in and around Herkimer County, New York. The term "diamond" refers not only to their exceptional clarity but also to the natural facets they display when found. Only crystals with these qualities that are found in Herkimer County can be officially called Herkimer Diamonds. Similar double-terminated quartz crystals have been discovered in abundance in Tibet and Afghanistan, but these are not considered true Herkimer Diamonds.
The geologic history of these crystals began around 495 million years ago in a shallow sea. Waxy organic material, along with quartz sand and pyrite, became encased in rock composed of dolomite and calcite. As the sediment buried the rock and temperatures rose, crystals formed very slowly, resulting in quartz with exceptional clarity. Inclusions within these crystals provide clues to their origin—ranging from solids, liquids (such as saltwater or petroleum), and gases (most often carbon dioxide) to two- and three-phase inclusions and negative (uniaxial) crystals.
Herkimer Diamonds are not actual diamonds, but rather double-terminated quartz crystals found in and around Herkimer County, New York. The term "diamond" refers not only to their exceptional clarity but also to the natural facets they display when found. Only crystals with these qualities that are found in Herkimer County can be officially called Herkimer Diamonds. Similar double-terminated quartz crystals have been discovered in abundance in Tibet and Afghanistan, but these are not considered true Herkimer Diamonds.
The geologic history of these crystals began around 495 million years ago in a shallow sea. Waxy organic material, along with quartz sand and pyrite, became encased in rock composed of dolomite and calcite. As the sediment buried the rock and temperatures rose, crystals formed very slowly, resulting in quartz with exceptional clarity. Inclusions within these crystals provide clues to their origin—ranging from solids, liquids (such as saltwater or petroleum), and gases (most often carbon dioxide) to two- and three-phase inclusions and negative (uniaxial) crystals.
About Quartz
Quartz is the name given to silicon dioxide (SiO2) and is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust. Quartz crystals generally grow in silica-rich environments--usually igneous rocks or hydrothermal environments like geothermal waters--at temperatures between 100°C and 450°C, and usually under very high pressure. In either case, crystals will precipitate as temperatures cool, just as ice gradually forms when water freezes. Quartz veins are formed when open fissures are filled with hot water during the closing stages of mountain formation: these veins can be hundreds of millions of years old.
Quartz is the name given to silicon dioxide (SiO2) and is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust. Quartz crystals generally grow in silica-rich environments--usually igneous rocks or hydrothermal environments like geothermal waters--at temperatures between 100°C and 450°C, and usually under very high pressure. In either case, crystals will precipitate as temperatures cool, just as ice gradually forms when water freezes. Quartz veins are formed when open fissures are filled with hot water during the closing stages of mountain formation: these veins can be hundreds of millions of years old.
SPECIES
Quartz
LOCATION
The Ace of Diamonds Mine, Middleville, Herkimer County, New York
SIZE
Largest Crystal 2.1" long, Entire specimen 6.4 x 4.7"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#175392
