Herkimer Diamond Quartz Crystal A+ 14.97 g 35x19x18mm
Herkimer Diamond Quartz Crystal
- Most Crystals have Contact Marks from the Matrix where they grew & Inclusions from gases and minerals within. These are common, anything with serious damage or a Contact Break where a face was attached to matrix is noted and shown in Photos below.
- The A / A+ / AA grade Crystals are the best of the best. Less than 5% of all the Crystals mined fall into this category. See below for more info.
- Gem Crystals (A, A+ or AA grade) over 1/2" (12.5mm) are very rare, These are mostly Floater Crystals, meaning there are no contact marks from the matrix. These crystals become even rarer at 1" in size with good clarity, 2"+ clear is rarely seen, especially in single crystals with no contacts or attached crystals. (Other grades we offer are C, B & B +). "Floater Crystals" do not have contact marks where they grew from the matrix, instead they are smooth all around, on all facets.
- Larger 2"+ Crystals are not graded the same as the smaller gems , unless of course they are water clear. These crystals usually have gas inclusions, etc, They can be clear, cloudy, smoky, skeletal / elestial formations, and other formations. Smooth faces and minimal Contact marks are considered with price, as well as size. Most Herkimer Diamonds that are mined never make it to the site , as we only put the top 25% of the crystals on the website.
- Most Clusters have had 1 or more crystals reattached. This is accepted and the best clusters in the world have had this done as they fall apart in the pocket over the years and changing geological conditions.
- Carbon inclusions are 500 million year old plant matter trapped inside also known as Anthraxolite.
Herkimer Crystals in these grades are extremely rare in any quantity, as most crystals over 10mm have inclusions of some kind. We are very fortunate to network with a small group of local miners right here in NY. I know many of them personally and have developed great relationships over the years. These amazing double terminated Crystals are what started it all for IVC back in 2006. Herks are harder than normal quartz at around 7.5. These double terminated Crystals are some of the best in the World.