Herkimer Diamonds are a special variety of Quartz, found in Herkimer county, New York. The deposit occurs in dolomite (silicified limestone) and is incredibly difficult to break. Fossils are found alongside Herkimers, that further indicates a low temperature crystallization. Miners use heavy sledge hammers and chizels to remove many feet of overburden, to expose the pocket layer. Herkimers were named by General Herkimer in the mid 1800's. This particular piece is an excellent example. Often clusters of Herkimers are "reconstructed," this indicates that epoxy was used to re-connect the crystals, the way they naturally grew together. this cluster happens to be natural, meaning no epoxy has been used for reconstruction. The top two pics are in strong lighting, and the bottom two pics are in lower light. It is in remarkably good condition, and involves 5 distinct crystals growing together. It is easily displayed from several angles. It is slightly smoky, which is typical in larger herkimer diamond crystals.

ADAMITE3 - Adamite
$ 65.00 SOLD
Laurium, near Athens, Greece
small cabinet - 6.7 x 5.8 x 4.7 cm

This piece was a part of Gene Meieran's collection, although ironically his label is not part of the lengthy "label trail." Originally from George English and Co. in New York, then in the Ivan Lee Collection. The mines in Laurium have been worked since Ancient Times, shaping the course of entire empires. It remains a particularly hard-to-find location.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

STILBITE1 - Stilbite
$ 95.00
Jalgaon, India
cabinet - 10.5 x 9 x 6.2 cm

This Stilbite Specimen was found in the Deccan Plateau, in India. This ancient basalt flow is the greatest producer of Zeolites such as Stilbite. This is a fine example given its aesthetic crystallized 'spray.' The primary crystal is a creamy white color, and it's growing on a base of peach colored Stilbite. It displays easily without a stand, from several directions. For a common mineral, this is a superb example. 

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