Description

This is the first published guide to Herkimer diamonds, striking quartz crystals, that includes all important aspects of interest to anyone curious about this unique form of the mineral quartz. Over 210 vivid color images of important specimens, associated minerals, and field shots illustrate the informative text and enhance the readers experience. The text includes the most recent scientific information regarding Herkimer diamonds’ geological and mineralogical history, where they can currently be found, descriptions of important historic locations, and the inclusion of noteworthy peripheral localities. The specific methods used to effectively field collect Herkimer diamonds are detailed, including photos of mining methods and a discussion of collecting strategy. Additionally, the mines are enumerated, the gear readers need is detailed, specimen preparation, mineral collections, and associated minerals recounted. This is the essential guide for every collector of these well known and much sought minerals, a guide only a seasoned field collector can provide.By Michael R. WalterMichael R. Walter has been an active field collector of crystallized mineral specimens from his youth in the 1960s through the present. He has field-collected Herkimer diamonds for more than thirty-five years.219 color & 7 b/w photos219 color & 7 b/w photos