The Worth of Herkimer Diamonds
If you've been to Stórica Studio or have been following the buzz on social media, you've likely heard talk about a particular gemstone called Herkimer Diamond Quartz. Let's uncover more about what makes a Herkimer diamond so special and why our Stórica team finds them worthy of design.
Herkimer diamonds are not actually what we would consider a real diamond, and despite their namesake, there are no real diamonds found at the Herkimer Diamond Mine. They are a form of double-terminated quartz crystals that began forming 500 million years ago in the dolomite outcrops of New York throughout Herkimer County and the Mohawk River Valley. Discovered in the 18th century, these crystals were given the diamond nickname due to their exceptional clarity and natural faceting.
Each quartz gemstone naturally forms with two points, and around eighteen facets. The Herkimer diamonds you see in our Glacier Collection are not cut or polished in any way. While you can find double terminated quartz crystals in other parts of the world, only those that are mined in Herkimer County are worthy of the title Herkimer Diamonds.
Herkimer diamonds can be exceptionally clear and colorless. They may also be sourced with inclusions of air bubbles or flecks of black carbon. If you are lucky, you could become the recipient of a Herkimer diamond designed with an en-hydro inclusion—a bubble of water that was trapped in the crystal during its formation.
Our Glacier Collection primarily consists of designs featuring Herkimer diamonds set in handmade bezels. This collection was inspired by my travels to Iceland—particularly my time spent on the Glacier Lagoon at sunset. I loved the contrast of the ice, the black sand and the color of the setting sun. I echo this theme in some of my pieces by including blackened sterling silver, 22k gold and specially sourced icy Herkimer diamonds.
We love the sparkle, sustainability and affordability of these American mined Herkimer diamonds. If you are ever on the East Coast in the area of Herkimer, New York, visit the mine and try your hand at unearthing one of these beautiful crystals. Out West, easily discover these beauties at Stórica Studio in Seattle, WA.
At a Glance—The Glacier Collection
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Consciously Crafted
Jewelry can be made in many different ways, but we choose to work with local partners who responsibly contribute to our community. We make deliberate decisions based on our values and customer feedback, like sourcing ethical, known-origin gemstones and recycled metals.
Made for All
Jewelry can be worn by anyone, anywhere, at any time—and we hope our customers own pieces that bring them unbridled joy. Our jewelry designs feature unexpected combinations that speak to a personal style that can be worn by you, him and her.
Women + Minority Owned
Born in Puerto Rico, owner and jewelry designer Christine Heidel moved to the mainland shortly after birth. Now settled in the Pacific Northwest, Christine operates a fully women-operated, working studio showroom in the historic Maritime Building on Western Ave.
A Finishing Touch
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Remarkable Gems
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For almost four hundred years, Herkimer diamonds have generated inspiration for their clarity, naturally forming facets (eighteen of them!), and double-terminated crystalline shapes. This exceptional gemstone stemming from dolomite outcrops, is both sourced and mined here in the United States. Native to only Herkimer County and the Mohawk River Valley in Upstate New York, Herkimer diamonds provide an affordable, sustainable option to jewelry designers and collectors.
The true value of a Herkimer diamond rests in the eye of the beholder. Did those ear drops capture the light of a morning sunrise? Did that necklace make the heart of a loved-one beat faster? An affordable option to natural and lab-grown diamonds, Herkimer diamonds are worth every ounce of inspiration.
Americans are lucky, that’s why! Crystals are found all over the world, some very similar to Herkimer diamonds, but only those that are sourced in Herkimer County and the Mohawk River Valley of New York State can be called a genuine Herkimer diamond.
Despite its namesake, there are no real diamonds found at the Herkimer Diamond Mine. However, we consider this a great advantage to those seeking affordable and alternative solutions to sustainable worldwide mining practices. To the naked eye, we bet you would have a hard time telling the difference between a real diamond and a Herkimer diamond found in our Glacier Collection.