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Herkimer Diamond Mines Bus Trip
Herkimer, New York Sunday, June 27th
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 6th 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:
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All-day prospecting,
you keep all
the diamonds you find! |
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Instructional 7-minute video
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All-day museum entrance
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Collector’s bag |
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Use of a mining hammer
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Shop in the gift shop! |
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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:
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Our trip is for
"prospectors" of all ages, but children
under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
(maximum 3 children per adult). |
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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. |
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Payment in full is due at
the time of registration. |
Cost of Trip: $75.00 per person
Lunch (optional): $8.00 per person includes
a hamburger, cheeseburger or hotdog with
chips, a beverage, applesauce and a cookie
(served on a souvenir Frisbee!)
space is limited—call, stop in, or
click here
to register!
Colorful
Creations Bead Company, Inc.
37
Harkness Avenue
East Longmeadow, Mass.
(413) 525-2229
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