Diamonds in New York?
Did you know that you can mine for diamonds in New York? Well, they’re not quite diamonds in the traditional sense, but Herkimer diamonds are a type of quartz crystal found in the lazy rural idyll of Herkimer County, between Albany and Utica, New York.
What are Herkimer diamonds?
Herkimer diamonds are double-terminated quartz crystals that are renowned for their exceptional clarity. Not as hard or dense as diamonds, they are still glisteningly beautiful stones, albeit lacking the price tag of their more sought-after relatives.
Where are Herkimer diamonds found?
Herkimer diamonds are found naturally in Mohawk River Valley and Herkimer County in upstate New York. They were first discovered at Middleville, where the Herkimer Diamond mines operate as part of a KOA camping ground, but you’ll also find them about 20 miles away.
Can you mine Herkimer diamonds?
Yes, you can mine Herkimer diamonds and fossick for them at some paid mining sites. The simple process of finding them involves cracking open the rocks with a hammer and pick, so people of all ages can try their luck. Additionally, you can fossick on the piles of already cracked stones, looking for glimmers missed by other eager amateur miners.
What locations let you mine Herkimer diamonds?
As a family-friendly activity, most mines are owned by well-appointed camping grounds. The most popular choice is where we chose to stay while in the region, KOA Herkimer Diamonds Mine. Set up like a little mining township, there’s quality food, a gift shop, appraisers, a mining sluice, and an education center. It’s by far the most ‘touristy” of the mines, and many leave disappointed because it has been well picked over, leaving only small crystals to be found.
Just up the road to Middleville is the Ace of Diamonds, another campsite, and mine, but it has been closed for the last couple of years due to legal issues. Instead, we spent our time at Crystal Grove near St Johnsville. Crystal Grove is a wooded camping ground with cabins, tents, caravan sites, and adjoining diamond mining fields.
To mine there, you pay a fee to access the site and hire fees for anything from a hammer to a chisel to a sieve. Snacks and drinks are on sale at the general store/camping ground office, along with souvenirs and mining paraphernalia. While the staff are friendly, instructions are minimal, and you’re sent on your way to try your luck in what looks like an open quarry. You’ll find portaloos on-site and plenty of parking, but plan ahead and bring water or pick it up from the store.
The best chance of finding crystals is when the sun shines high. That’s when you can catch the glimmer of the Herkimer diamond in the surrounding rock or shards amongst the stones and pebbles dislodged by rain and storms. If you have the energy and the inclination, you can attack the rock walls or larger stones with your hammer, chisel, or pick – but it can hurt for a few days if you’re not using those muscles regularly.
Our toddler, Siena, loved searching for “sparkles” and had quite a good eye for finding small crystals. We tackled rocks with the hammer and chisel, but more often than not, we chose the wrong types of stone that didn’t break readily or crack the little crystals we’d identified.
The main thing missing from Crystal Grove, which was handled well at Herkimer Diamond Mine, was an educational video explaining what diamonds look like, the kinds of rocks they are contained in, and the techniques to extract them. Regardless, we had a great time and came home with a pocket full of crystals.
Where to stay at Herkimer
Herkimer diamonds aren’t found in the town of Herkimer, so depending on your level of comfort and spirit of adventure, you can either opt for a traditional hotel like the Red Roof Inn and Suites in the town or head out the 7 miles to Middleville, home to the main mines. The town has all the main chain restaurants and a Walmart Supercenter.
We chose KOA Herkimer Diamond Mines because it offers the best blend of comforts while roughing it in a 3-person tent. The Herkimer/Middleville camping ground is situated on the banks of West Canada Creek, a fast-flowing tributary of the Mohawk River. You can choose furnished cabins, glamping cabins, powered caravan sites, or Spartan tent sites.
Kids will love the large playground (complete with giant chess, beach volleyball, and Connect 4), the swimming pool, the mining sluice (you can buy bags of ‘paydirt’ containing either gems, Herkimer diamonds, or fossils for $15), and arts and crafts. Additionally, there’s an area called the garden, with private lounges and gas fires, a bar, and an ice cream van. If your campfire skills are lacking, you can order pizzas, kebabs, and other delicious options.
People interested in fishing can try their luck in the creek or across the road; there are two ponds with catch-and-release fishing.
Finally, beyond Herkimer diamond mining, the region has plenty to offer as a base for day trips. Utica is only 25 minutes away, the state capitol is at Albany, you’re at the start of the Adirondacks, home of amazing scenery, and Syracuse and the Finger Lakes.
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