Uncovering a Herkimer Diamonds Pocket

American Geode


Summer 2016, the American Geode uncovered a Herkimer Diamonds pocket, a trophy and a prize of fine Herkimer Diamonds in Fonda, New York. For more background on Herkimer Diamonds, go to American Geode’s page dedicated to the Herkimer Diamond.

Be prepared to have essential tools & tips ready for your Herkimer Diamonds rockhounding trip. Necessary tools for rockhounding include: a good Estwing crack hammer, small chisels, wedges, buckets, and a wire screen. Basic Tips include: Bring plenty of mosquito repellent, snacks & water, ear & eye protection, gloves, and check the Weather! A small 1200+ watt generator and power breaker will greatly increase your odds of finding large Herkimer Diamond pockets. A 4-6 foot long pry bar is also a great tool to have handy when trying to leverage against large stubborn rocks. For the more serious miner, a 65lb Jackhammer which can be rented at local hardware stores. “Professionals” often use set up water pumps during the rainy mining season and also as the escavation depth gets closer to the water table. Local miners will often trade lesser findings with a bit of friendly talk and easily show off their best finds of the day. Mining is hard work, be prepared for 3-4 hrs of serious rockhounding. Enjoy the outdoors, enjoy the nature, enjoy the wonderment and delight when you discover Herkimer Diamonds! It’s a great time to turn off your phone and absorb the outdoors.

Are all Herkimer Diamonds double-terminated quartz crystals? The answer is yes. Does that make all double-terminated quartz crystals Herkimer diamonds then? The answer is no. Herkimer refers to the location of these unusual quartz clusters found in hollow “pockets”. Herkimer County is about a 4 and a half hours drive north of New York City. The name Herkimer comes from an American Revolution General named Nicholas Herkimer who died in battle in 1777.

Rockhounding in Key West, Florida

Contact American Geode directly through our site for specifics, details and suggestions on where to drink, dine, party and explore Key West!

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Rockhounding Key West
Rockhounding Key West

Rockhounding in Key West is a special trip because there is not a helluva lot of rockhounding to be done in Key West! We did find one crystal and mineral store, took pictures of the finest pieces which were NFS (Not for Sale) alas, but the store did have those trophy pieces worthy of the visit, and photos. The store is called The Crystal Menagerie, and it is very easy to find.
Now for natural rockhounding we did go to the big park, the Zachary Taylor Fort and Beach Park. The shells that wash up are pretty common and standard. There are also no outcrops that we discovered, and we walked, nearly the entire island.

So for a trip to Key West, I recommend making your focus the sun, the sea air, the great drinks, and the historic significance of the area. President Truman’s “Little White House” is a historic treat. I consider myself learned in US History, but the significance of Key West from Truman to Clinton was a surprise to me.

Key West has some magnificent old homes for touring, full of original antiques, history and interesting docents, so I highly recommend those tours as diversions to get you out of the sun if it’s unbearable, or out of the rain if a tropical depression is roaring.

A pleasant surprise was that you can walk around with your drinks. So it’s like New Orleans that way, but there is not even the restriction to keep your drink in a plastic cup. So have fun bar hopping in Key West and start each morning with a bloody morning.

The only point I would caution against, is flying into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, as we did, and driving down Route 1. It is not the romantic drive you expect. If you get behind a garbage truck, you are slowing down to 20 MPH, and you are behind a garbage truck. Even though you cross over the famous 7 Mile Bridge, the extra time it takes to drive is not worth the time you could otherwise be spending in Key West. So fly into Key West Airport, and you can leave your chisel, pick-axe and rockhounding preparedness kit at home this trip!
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Key West
Key West

Keep updated on the best shows with the American Geode gem, mineral, jewelry and fossil show newswire and calendar!
Watch a short video here for gem, mineral and fossil show tips from the experts!

San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral Club Show June 18-19

San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral Club

The San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral Club proudly presents:

San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral Club
San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral Club

Annual Summer Gem & Mineral Show!

Saturday June 18th, 2016, 10am to 5pm
& Sunday June 19th, 2016, 10am to 5pm

Located at the Cambria Vet’s Hall (1000 Main Street)

Free Parking, Admission, & Door Prizes

Featuring vendors selling a fantastic array of gems, minerals, fossils, jewelry,
jade, beads, crystals, meteorites, lapidary-related items & display supplies.

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The San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral Club holds two shows per year. The annual June gem & mineral show is held on Father’s Day Weekend.
This year, due to the closure of the historic Cayucos Vet’s Hall, the Summer gem & mineral show will be held at the Cambria Vet’s Hall. Admission is always free and we give away some wonderful door prizes donated by the vendors. To learn more about the club, check out the San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral homepage at www.slogem.org.

Keep updated on the best shows with the American Geode gem, mineral, jewelry and fossil show newswire and calendar!
Watch a short video here for gem, mineral and fossil show tips from the experts!