We’re trying to fill our summer bucket lists with new experiences and things we haven’t done before, and New York just so happens to be filled with exciting places to visit, like Herkimer Diamond Mines!
Herkimer Diamond Mines are above ground “surface mines” that give visitors the unique opportunity to search for 500-million-year-old Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals hiding in the rocks.
According to the website, the “bedrock in which the quartz crystals are found began forming approximately half a billion years ago as the Cambrian Sea lapped against the southern shores of the Adirondack Mountains.”
Sediments then slowly began to accumulate beneath the sea’s waters and were gradually compacted under the weight of thousands of feet of additional sediments, creating a layer of rock called dolostone. As water seeps through the pores of this rock and dissolves it forms small cavities in which Herkimer diamonds are found.
And these diamonds rival true diamonds in their appearance–a true diamond found in the wild is rough and must be cut to give it its signature smooth geometrical shape. Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals, on the other hand, are naturally faceted, each with eighteen facets and two points.
Hardness-wise a true diamond scores a 10 while Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals score a 7.5, making them close rivals.
There are a few ways to find the crystals, but most people like to simply use a hammer to reveal them. Though beyond hammering them out of the rocks you can also choose to do sluice mining, in which you’ll receive a special bag and head to the Sluice Station where you can screen away the debris to discover your very own treasures.
The best part–everything you find is yours to keep, but you can do way more than just bring them home and place them on a shelf.
After mining you can design and assemble your own custom jewelry in the Artisan Center, choosing from a variety of jewelry-making accessories to create a masterpiece and show off your finds.
Admission to Herkimer Diamond Mines is $18 per person for adults 13+ ($20 on weekends) and includes an all-day prospecting ticket, gem collection bags, and use of a rock hammer. Instruction is provided prior to entering the mines.
And, once you’ve worked yourself up an appetite, you can grab a bite to eat at The Canteen, The Garden, or The Miner’s Table and then shop for souvenirs at the Trading Post.
It’s suggested that visitors come prepared with safety eyewear, gloves, and closed toe shoes. Learn more on their website.
📍 4626 NY-28, Herkimer, NY 13350
🗓 Now through October 31st, 2024