Herkimer Diamond

Herkimer Diamond Mining Report — in Herkimer, NY

In 2020, I finally went mining.

My destination was Herkimer, New York.
The special crystals that are found only here — those are “Herkimer Diamonds.”

It was a small, old, predominantly white town; the downtown felt somewhat lonely and not very lively. But that quietness had its own charm.

I set out from Delaware.
From there it was a long drive of about six hours one way.

Mining Experience! Heading to Ace of Diamonds Mine & Campground

Several mines are open to the public, but that year some were closed due to COVID.
One that was still operating was “Ace of Diamonds Mine & Campground”.
With a campground on site, it’s a spot outdoor lovers will adore.

Mining tools can be rented (for a fee).
You can show up empty-handed, but expectations rise.
I set out excitedly, thinking maybe I’d find big Herkimers rolling around like in the photos…

The Reality of Hand Mining

But reality is not so sweet.
Ordinary visitors can’t use power tools and must do the steady hand work with hammer and chisel.

The vast mining area already showed many traces, giving a sense that it had been mostly picked over, yet there was still a feeling that treasures might remain.

It was a landscape like the aftermath of a battle — the kind a Sengoku warlord might look at and grunt, “Magnificent!”

Digging, Crushing, Learning

Because I tried it without any tips, I accidentally crushed a thumb-sized chunk I’d dug up with the hammer…
I realized “this was a Herkimer!” only after I’d smashed it.
Still, that was also a good experience.

My final haul was about ten small crystals.

When I returned the tools, I asked the staff, “This is a Herkimer Diamond, right?”──

“There are all kinds of crystals mixed in, so real Herkimers are very few,” they said.

They said forcing a rock open usually just destroys it.

After such effort I brought home these precious crystals.
For me, they are truly power stones = dream crystals.

“If you put them under your pillow when you sleep, you’ll have good dreams and your dreams will come true,” they say.
But along with that experience, this stone is a one-of-a-kind treasure to me.