HERKIMER DIAMOND

HERKIMER DIAMOND

Two cute little Herkimer Diamond on a sparkly matrix.  Hard to find these crystals as they appear in nature like this.  Do note though this is a Quartz crystal, not diamond.  Named for its shape and location.  A popular crystal and great addition to any mineral or crystal collection.

Location:
Herkimer County, New York State, USA.

Dimensions:
8cm long x 5.4cm wide x 3cm high, 150g.
Largest crystal approx 1.2cm high x 0.7cm wide.

Quartz: SiO_2.

Quartz is one of the most common minerals found in the Earth’s crust.  If pure, quartz forms colorless, transparent and very hard crystals with a glass-like luster.  A significant component of many igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, this natural form of silicon dioxide is found in an impressive range of varieties and colours.
Quartz in it’s polished form was the most advanced technology thousands of years ago, used by the Assyrians.  Quartz was used as a lens to focus light and could start a fire.  The Vikings would have used one of these to find the sun on a cloudy day.  It would have been used as a magnifying glass too.  Today it leads technology being the main component of transistors which make our computers work and solar panels