HERKIMER DIAMOND MINE

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Depart: 6:00 AM

Return: 7:30 PM

Price: $125.00

We’ll travel west past Albany and head straight for the Herkimer Diamond Mine where you’ll dig for “Herkimer Diamonds” – doubly terminated, 18-sided quartz crystals that come out of pockets in the dolomite as perfectly formed and polished as if they had been to a jeweler.  Often flawless, they are found in a number of places here in the central Mohawk Valley and, for quantity, quality, and accessibility, in few other places unless one considers Afghanistan or Tibet accessible.  They sell from a few dollars each to a few thousand for an assembly of giant crystals and you’ll get to dig for them with hand tools lent to us on the day of our visit.  Those not wishing to actually dig can go through tailings in the hope of discovering a crystal or two or you can find diamonds in the gift shops instead.  Finders Keepers - You get to keep whatever crystals you find.

Our last stop will be the historic Erie Canal where we’ll join Captain Jerry for a narrated cruise aboard the Lil Diamond II.  Our Captain will tell us about the history and legends of the area as we glide gently along this venerable waterway.  We’ll even travel through a lock and be raised twenty feet.  Afterwards you can check out the 70 specialty shops at the Mohawk Visitor’s Center showcasing the manufacturing legacies of the Mohawk Valley.