by J S Shipman

Created on: September 13, 2008

We hopped into the van, three of us, Mom and Dad up front, taking turns driving. We were going to go hunting for Herkimer diamonds. We brought books with us to read on the way, and, we were excited.

Finally we arrived in Herkimer, New York, jumped out and were immediately able to run over to huge mounds of earth and begin our excavation for "diamonds." I was probably 7 years old, my brother 11, and my sister 5. My mother is the one who came up with the idea of this adventure.

And it's an adventure we all remember to this day. The Herkimer diamonds we found are treasures still on display in our homes, reminding us of quality time we spent exploring for Herkimer diamonds.

So, what is a Herkimer diamond? That discovery, too, can be an exciting adventure on today's Internet. Today's explorers can first explore the Internet, map the route to Middleville in Herkimer County, New York, by satellite. Then, they can hop into a gas-saving vehicle and begin their own adventure treasure hunting for Herkimer diamonds!

If you pop, "Herkimer diamonds," into your search engine, or trot over to the public library, you can readily find out that prospecting admissions are free if you are 4 years old or younger, and are $8 if you are 5-12, and are $10.00 per person ages 13 and up. You've got to admit that is a small price to pay to go "treasure hunting."

You might want to grow some sugar crystals, that is, make some rock candy, to get into the mood. Then, you can sleuth some more on the internet and find out that the Herkimer diamonds are quartz crystals pointed at each end, or, "doubly terminated." You can discover more geological aspects of Herkimer diamonds: What do Herkimer diamonds have to do with dolomite limestone? What does water trickling down through the rocks have to do with them? Which is harder, glass or Herkimer diamonds, or, real diamonds?

You can also tie in history with your adventure. The history of the mines, and Revolutionary War history. General Nicholas Herkimer. You can also discover, "the people of the crystals," the Mohawks.

Such doubly-terminated quartz crystals are found in in the world beyond Herkimer, including Arizona, Afghanistan, Norway, Ukraine and China, however, you must admit that Herkimer itself would be the safest place for this adventure. And, only "diamonds" found in Herkimer County, New York, can truly bear the title, Herkimer diamonds.

So, get ready to go on a treasure hunt. Pack up your clothes. Wear something that you can get dirty, bring a trowel or a small shovel (one per adventurer, minimum). Remember to start after the mosquitoes at dawn and quit before the mosquitoes at dusk...No sense getting any mosquito-borne diseases on this adventure. Bring the sun screen and a hat, and spend a few days, "hunting." It is the family trip to bond you forever in the magical world of discovery. You might just come home with a few Herkimer diamonds. (If, not, stay another day or so, and just enjoy the fun!) We only found a few, ourselves, but, we never forgot the adventure.

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