Why Herkimer Diamonds Get Faked
Herkimer Diamonds command significant premiums over standard quartz — a gem-quality Herkimer can sell for 10–50x the price of a comparable clear quartz point. This price differential creates strong incentive for substitution. The most common imitations are:
- Standard quartz points: Single-terminated quartz crystals sold as Herkimers
- Faceted glass: Cut glass with diamond-like faceting
- Synthetic quartz: Lab-grown quartz, chemically identical to natural quartz
- Quartz from other locations: Double-terminated quartz from China, Brazil, or other locations sold as "Herkimer" — the most common and most deceptive substitution
Test 1: Double Termination — The Essential Characteristic
A genuine Herkimer Diamond must be naturally double-terminated — fully formed, faceted points at both ends. This is non-negotiable.
- Genuine Herkimer: Both ends have fully formed terminations with clear, sharp facets. The crystal is free-standing — it does not have a flat base or attachment point where it grew from matrix.
- Standard quartz point: Has one termination and one flat or rough base where it was attached to matrix. Sometimes the base is cut flat to make it stand — this is not a Herkimer.
- Artificially double-terminated quartz: Some sellers cut and polish a second termination onto a single-terminated crystal. Look for: one termination with natural facets and one with perfectly flat, polished facets — a sign of artificial cutting.
Both terminations on a genuine Herkimer should have the same natural, slightly irregular facets — not one natural and one artificially polished.
Test 2: Natural Facet Geometry
Genuine Herkimer Diamonds have a specific natural crystal habit: 18 facets in the classic form (6 prism faces + 6 upper rhombohedral faces + 6 lower rhombohedral faces). These facets are natural — formed by the crystal's internal structure, not by cutting.
- Genuine Herkimer: Facets are slightly irregular, with natural striations (growth lines) on the prism faces. The facets meet at slightly imperfect angles — natural crystal geometry is never perfectly precise.
- Faceted glass or cut quartz: Facets are perfectly flat, perfectly angled, and perfectly polished. No natural striations. The geometry is too perfect for a natural crystal.
Natural crystal facets always have slight irregularities — this is a feature, not a flaw, and is the mark of genuine natural formation.
Test 3: Inclusions and Internal Features
Examine the crystal under magnification (a 10x loupe is ideal).
- Genuine Herkimer: May contain anthraxolite (black carbonaceous material), fluid inclusions (tiny bubbles of ancient water or petroleum), phantoms, or natural fractures (veils). These inclusions are irregular and distributed naturally throughout the crystal.
- Glass: May contain perfectly round air bubbles — a definitive sign of manufactured glass. Natural crystals never contain perfectly round bubbles.
- Synthetic quartz: Typically very clean with few or no inclusions. May contain "breadcrumb" inclusions characteristic of hydrothermal synthesis.
The presence of anthraxolite (black inclusions) is a strong indicator of genuine Herkimer origin — this specific inclusion type is characteristic of the Herkimer County dolostone environment.
Test 4: Origin Documentation
The most reliable verification for high-value Herkimers is origin documentation from the seller.
- Genuine Herkimer: Seller can confirm Herkimer County, New York origin. Ideally can name the specific mine (Ace of Diamonds, Herkimer Diamond Mines, etc.).
- "Herkimer-style" quartz: Double-terminated quartz from China, Pakistan, or other locations is sometimes sold as Herkimer. Ask specifically: "Is this from Herkimer County, New York?" A seller who cannot confirm this is selling non-Herkimer material.
Note: Double-terminated quartz from other locations is not a deception if sold accurately — Chinese double-terminated quartz is beautiful and legitimate. The deception is calling it "Herkimer" when it is not.
Test 5: Price Benchmarks
Genuine Herkimer Diamonds command significant premiums. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Small Herkimers (under 1cm, commercial grade): $2–10 each
- Medium Herkimers (1–2cm, good clarity): $10–40 each
- Large Herkimers (2–5cm, gem grade): $40–200+ each
- Exceptional specimens (5cm+, water-clear, perfect terminations): $200–1,000+
- Enhydros (moving fluid inclusions): Significant premium over comparable clarity stones
"Herkimer Diamonds" sold at $1–2 each in bulk are almost certainly non-Herkimer double-terminated quartz from China or other sources.
Shop Verified Herkimer Diamonds
Every piece in our Herkimer Diamond collection is genuine Herkimer County, New York quartz, with origin confirmed and quality grade disclosed. For the complete guide, see: What is a Herkimer Diamond?
