A Guide to Herkimer Diamond Quartz Crystals

I know what you’re thinking: “Diamonds? In upstate NY?” and no, these are not true diamonds but a very special type of Quartz crystal that comes from Herkimer County, NY. Here, we will go into a few details about these gorgeous crystals that are, quite literally, in our very own backyard here at InnerVision Crystals!

So what makes Herkimer Diamond Quartz different from other Quartz?
Herkimer Diamonds are naturally faceted with 18 facets, and most have an iconic double-terminated shape. Like other Quartz, they can form in clusters or single crystals, but clusters of Herkimer Diamonds are unique. The way they stack to form clusters is really incredible, as seen below. One other major difference between Herkimer Diamonds and other variations are that an average Quartz has a Moh’s hardness of 7.0 where these crystals have a hardness of 7.5, and a true Diamond comes in at a hardness of 10.

What’s that thing inside my Herkimer Diamond?
Well, it could be a few things. If it’s black, it may be anthraxolite (decayed plant matter from 500 million years ago) and that is pretty common in larger pieces, but you can sometimes even find it in the tiniest clearest crystals! If it’s an orange color, it’s iron inside the stone, and it looks a lot like rust. Does it look like a rainbow? Many times, small fractures inside the crystals cause the light to reflect in different ways, resulting in beautiful prisms. Does it look broken inside, though the surface is smooth? That’s called a skeletal formation, and that’s just the way it grew; sometimes you can even feel a skeletal formation on the surface. Does it look like there’s a bubble inside your Herkimer Diamond? Turn it on its side or upside down and watch…that bubble might move! That’s called an enhydro and there is water trapped inside the crystal. 

What are the properties associated with Herkimer Diamonds?
Like all Quartz, Herkimer Diamonds are amplifiers: of intentions, of energy, dreaming, and more. It is particularly beneficial in amplifying the properties of other crystals when working with energy and healing. On its own, though, Herkimer Diamonds being double terminated allows for a unique flow of energy both flowing in and flowing out of the crystal, which can be very intense. Their clarity and increased hardness make them metaphysically perfect for being programmed to retain energy of well-being or uplifting vibrations that can be drawn on by others, as they have a great “crystal memory” which is also incredibly useful for dream recall! Overall, this is essential for any crystal collector.