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Herkimer Diamond Mines Bus Trip

    Herkimer, New York  Sunday, June 27^th

          Bus leaves from Colorful Creations Bead Company

       37 Harkness Avenue, East Longmeadow, Mass.

Join us for an exciting adventure in New York state at the world famous Herkimer Diamond Mines.

 We will ride in style on a Peter Pan bus to an event-filled day!

What are Herkimer Diamonds?

Herkimer diamonds are beautiful double-terminated quartz crystals found only in upper New York State. These phenomenal gemstones are five hundred million years old.  The crystals are magnificent works of nature, having a diamond-like geometric shape.

How are they different from carbon diamonds?

A carbon diamond must be painstakingly cut to give it smooth facets and a geometrical shape. Herkimer Diamonds are naturally faceted; each having eighteen facets and two points, and are brilliantly shaped by Mother Nature already.

How are they formed?

The bedrock in which the crystals are found began forming approximately half a billion years ago in the shallow Cambrian Sea that lapped against the southern shores of the ancestral Adirondack Mountains. The sediments (calcium magnesium carbonate) which slowly accumulated beneath the sea’s salty waters were gradually compacted under the weight of thousands of feet of additional sediments, forming the rock strata Little Falls Dolostone.  While still beneath the sea, water seeped through the pores of the rock often creating “vugs” (open pockets) by dissolving part of the rock.

What are the collection methods?

The collecting methods range from casually looking around the prospecting area, digging through the rubble energetically, or using crowbars, sledgehammers and heavy chisels.  A popular method of prospecting is by breaking them out of a single rock with the hammer that is provided.

What is pocket mining?

Domed “pockets mines” in the table-layer of the rock are usually very rich with diamonds.  Some pockets are known to contain thousands of diamonds.  Pockets or cups can be up to six feet in diameter and usually no less than one foot.  The dome-like tops of the pockets are often lined with small, white cubic-shaped dolomite crystals.  Occasionally, the top will be beautiful black drusy quartz.  Pockets containing diamond crystals are never the same either in size or quality.  Most pockets, as a rule, will contain diamond crystals of various sizes.  Some pockets may contain large crystals ranging in size from four to eight inches long and three to four inches wide.  Other pockets with medium-sized crystals range in size from an inch and a half to three to four inches long and a half inch to two inches wide.  Micro crystals are always found.  As the crystals move up in size they tend to become less clear or more translucent than transparent.

Are there special crystals?

Some crystals contain anthraxolite or decayed plant life.  The anthraxolite resembles bits of black coal within the crystals.  A special discovery would be an enhydro crystal.  These special specimens are crystals that contain a water bubble within it.  And extremely lucky find is an enhydro which contains species of anthraxolite floating in the water bubble.  Twins, doubles, clusters, tabulars, smokies, skeletals, and phantom crystals are all valuable specimens that can be found in this mine.

What constitutes a perfect crystal?

The most perfect crystals are usually those less than ½” long, but occasionally much larger crystals are found.  Crystals commonly occur intertwined or clustered and often tiny, perfect crystals are attached to the backs of larger ones.  The most perfect crystals are often used as display pieces in necklaces, earring and bracelets.

What are the Metaphysical properties of the crystals?

Associated with activation of the Third Eye (the 6^th Chakra), Herkimers are also known to increase one’s visionary capacity. Sleeping with a crystal is believed to enhance the dream state and the frequency of lucid dreams.  Wearing one brings about greater access to inner guidance and psychic abilities. They help alleviate tension and create an overall state of well-being. They harmonize with other gemstone or crystals, enhancing their properties as well.

What is the terrain like at the Mines?

We will be surface mining—not going into caves.  The mine area is strewn with large rocks and stones.  We will be mining rain or shine, so dress appropriately.

Our trip includes:

	All-day prospecting, you keep all the diamonds you find!
	Instructional 7-minute video
	All-day museum entrance
	Collector’s bag
	Use of a mining hammer
	Shop in the gift shop!
	Sluicing for Fossils: You are guaranteed to find a variety of fossils as you pan in the sluicing area through running water!

Things you need to know:

	Our trip is for "prospectors" of all ages, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (maximum 3 children per adult).
	We will be leaving the Colorful Creations Bead Company parking lot promptly at 7am (don’t be late we won’t wait!) and returning at approx. 7pm. We’ll make a breakfast stop on the way there, a dinner stop on the way home.
	Payment in full is due at the time of registration.