Herkimer Diamond Rings...a Reminder

Just a reminder to anyone who might be considering buying a "Herkimer Diamond" ring or ring set on etsy:

A "Herkimer Diamond" isn't a diamond at all.    It's just a quartz crystal, like any other quartz crystal except that it has "natural facets"----double points on the ends and 6 natural facets on each point and in the center section, so 18 total.  It never varies from that---always 18 facets, double terminated quartz crystal.  The fact that this is a NATURAL clear crystal that looks like it's faceted is why it was called a "diamond".  It does NOT "mimic diamonds in their sparkle and appearance"--- they were called "diamonds" because they are found faceted, as if they were faceted by hand.  They do not "sparkle" like a diamond---they sparkle like a piece of quartz, which is what it is.  The name "Herkimer Diamond"  is a misnomer.  It's NOT a diamond.  It is just a clear Quartz crystal.   They are VERY old crystals---formed about 500 MILLION years ago.   Herkimers always look like this:

Herkimer "Diamond" Quartz

Herkimer Quartz

Sometimes there are bubbles or inclusions inside, although usually they are crystal clear.  Here is another example of a Herkimer, but with inclusions inside (note the natural facets) ------------------->>>>


Here is a quote about the history of the crystals, courtesy of ericaweiner.com:

"Despite their diamond misnomer, Herkimers are are actually six-sided, double-terminated quartz crystals and are relatively valueless.  Nevertheless, unscrupulous jewelers during the Civil War often tried to pass off these stones as the more precious variety."

So this fraud is nothing new!

NOT a Herkimer!! 

There are some etsy sellers and others online who have placed the actual Herkimer crystal, unaltered, into a setting.  That's GREAT!  That is a true "eco friendly" ring.  And obviously the setting is hand-made to custom-fit the Herkimer Quartz.  I'm ALL for that!

A REAL Herkimer Quartz in Custom Setting---courtesy herkimerdiamondquartz.com, $59

HOWEVER,  I've seen an online seller (more than one) who is selling generic faceted stones (round, oval, pear, square, etc.)  that look just like CZ set into sterling silver settings, like I've seen many times all over the internet.  They are claiming these machine-faceted stones are "Herkimer Diamonds"!  NOT!!!!!

NOT a Herkimer!  Just Quartz maybe.

Fellow Etsians, please know this:  a human-faceted stone set into a ring is probably  NOT a Herkimer.  If it is not a CZ then it would be just a faceted clear quartz, if indeed it is quartz.  It could be glass...!

It doesn't matter what someone says on etsy or elsewhere:  if someone claims to "own the mine" where the stones are discovered; if someone claims to "set or facet the stones themselves"  or WHATEVER they are saying, why would you blindly believe that?  Especially if they are not being truthful when they are obviously selling some other stone (or crystal, glass, CZ, who knows what it is) that is faceted and saying it's a "Herkimer Diamond" when we ALL know that:

1. A Herkimer Diamond is NOT a diamond.
2. A Herkimer Diamond should be called what it is, a Herkimer Quartz crystal
3. Herkimers are NOT faceted by anyone other than nature. 
4. The beauty of a Herkimer is that natural "faceting" and double points, as seen above.
5. Anything that is faceted into an oval or pear or round brilliant can be anything!  It is most likely something else, such as CZ, or just plain clear quartz perhaps.
6. Herkimers are not rare.  They are found in great abundance and anyone can go "mining" for them; i.e., splitting open a rock. No actual "mining" involved. 
7. These quartz stones would be appreciated for their natural beauty---NEVER altered or cut.
8. Herkimers are always "faceted" by Mother Nature, 18 facets, double terminated. ALWAYS.
9. Most of all, there is nothing particularly special about a Herkimer----it doesn't sparkle more than any other clear quartz.  Some sources say they're slightly harder (Mohs 7.5) than other Quartz (Mohs 7) but the ones I had tested are Mohs 7.

Herkimers in Dolostone

Etsy sellers are asking premium prices for their supposed "Herkimer Diamond" rings that they "faceted" into generic gemstone shapes and "set into ring settings" and the sad fact is this:  you, the buyer, are getting "taken."  But don't just take my word for it.  Do your homework!  Find out what a Herkimer Diamond actually is!!  Google is your friend.  Educate yourselves.  It's AWFUL to read the etsy seller's hundreds upon hundreds of feedback comments when I know the buyers have no clue what they received!  Is ignorance really bliss?  I don't think so.  A seller is profiting off the ignorance of people, and it's not right.