Mining for “Herkimer Diamonds”


The key to finding “Herkimer diamonds” is a knowledge that they occur in cavities (vugs) within the Little Falls Dolostone (see photo above). These cavities can be smaller than a pea or several feet across. At both of the mines listed above, the Little Falls Dolostone is exposed at the surface, and a significant amount of broken rock is scattered across the quarry floor.

Herkimer Diamond mining tools
Some of Bill McIlquham’s diamond prospecting tools: mainly hammers and wedges.
Photo copyright Bill McIlquham.

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