Herkimer Update: New Specimens!
We are pleased to present additional specimens from our 2025 mining season at the Herkimer Diamond Mine in Middleville, New York, featuring material from one of the most productive sections we've worked to date.
Many of these specimens originated from a particularly productive section of the "gemmy layer, " a specific horizon within the Little Falls dolostone formation known locally for containing smaller, isolated openings called vugs that sometimes yield Herkimer Diamonds.
A fine Herkimer Diamond specimen remaining in situ within its original vug. These quartz crystals typically separate from the dolostone matrix during extraction, making intact matrix specimens particularly desirable. View details.
Accessing these vugs requires substantial effort and specialized knowledge of how to work with this dense material. The process involves creating fractures, breaking apart sections of dolostone, and removing significant amounts of rock with the goal of locating vug systems that may contain crystals. As experienced collectors know, it's common to work a section of the gemmy layer for hours, or even days, only to encounter empty vugs.
At over one inch in length, this specimen represents a notable example where size and quality converge, a combination that remains scarce among Herkimer Diamond finds. View details.
Certain sections of the gemmy layer prove notably productive, revealing networks of vugs containing clusters, individual crystals, and numerous micro specimens. These productive zones represent the reward that often follows extended periods of extracting barren material. The specimens we're offering from these sections exhibit the qualities characteristic of fine Herkimer Diamonds: excellent clarity, strong luster, and well-formed double-terminations.
An exceptional Herkimer Diamond specimen exhibiting superb clarity, excellent luster, and the classic double-terminated habit. Minor contact marks on the crystal faces indicate points where the specimen grew against the vug walls, adding geological background to an otherwise pristine example. View details.
An impressive 11-gram Herkimer Diamond exhibiting slightly offset terminations, a result of its development within the confines of an isolated vug. Had the crystal continued to grow, it would have filled the vug more tightly, which would have disrupted more of the geometric form. View details.
Herkimer Diamond clusters rank among the most sought-after specimens by collectors, and for good reason. While quartz clusters typically feature multiple crystals that are deeply intergrown and exhibit single terminations, many Herkimer clusters present a distinctly different aesthetic. Individual crystals within these groups often develop complete double-terminated forms, connected to neighboring crystals only by small contact points—referred to as "keys" or "footprints." This growth pattern creates compositions that appear more as assemblages of individual gems rather than intergrown crystal groupings. The result is a sculptural quality where multiple complete crystals arrange themselves in dramatic configurations while largely maintaining their individual geometric appeal.
Multiple water-clear crystals adorning a sharp, well-formed Herkimer Diamond positioned prominently at the center, showcasing the characteristic double-terminated habit. An exceptional cluster specimen notable for both its crystal arrangement and sculptural composition. View details.
A razor-sharp, textbook Herkimer Diamond specimen with a gemmy "rider" crystal perched aesthetically along one edge. Superb clarity and luster. View details.
These specimens represent a selection of the material we've made available from our 2025 mining season. To view our complete collection of Herkimer Diamonds, including additional pieces from this productive find, visit our online gallery: Quartz Var. Herkimer Diamond.
Written by J. Thompson.
