Quartz, var. Herkimer Diamond

Herkimer Diamonds are a special variety of Quartz, found in Herkimer county, New York. The deposit occurs in dolomite (silicified limestone) and is incredibly difficult to break. Fossils are found alongside Herkimers, that further indicates a low temperature crystallization. Miners use heavy sledge hammers and chizels to remove many feet of overburden, to expose the pocket layer. Herkimers were named by General Herkimer in the mid 1800's. This is a druzy style Herkimer Diamond Cluster, showing the variation in the crystal sizes, as well as Anthroxolite inclusions that make the smaller crystals appear black. There is no damage.