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Formation of Herkimer Diamonds
Some 500 million years ago the Little Falls Formation area where the majority of Herkimer diamonds are found featured an ancient shoreline, according to the HerkimerHistory website. Over millions of years sedimentary rock was formed on this shoreline and at the same time certain layers of the sedimentary rock featured holes caused by weathering and fossils. These holes were host to Herkimer diamond formation.
Trapped Water Grows Herkimer Diamonds
Deep beneath the crust of the earth, fluids containing gasses, oil, salts, minerals and dissolved quartz called black hydrocarbon material moved closer to the surface. As the black hydrocarbon material traveled along the porous layers of earth it became trapped in the porous holes. The black hydrocarbon material then further eroded the hole layers and provided additional materials to grow the Herkimer diamonds.
Silica-Secreting Microbe Theory
This theory holds that silica-secreting microbes called radiolarians led to the production of Herkimer diamonds. The theory is supported by the fact that Herkimer diamonds are found as free-standing crystals inside dolomite rocks. Anthraxolite -- a byproduct of decomposing plant life -- has been found in the Herkimer diamond pockets. As the trapped radiolarians ate the plant matter, they secreted geometrically-shaped silica creating the Herkimer diamonds, according to the theory.
Possibilities for Herkimer Diamond Prospectors
The Native American Mohawk tribe members were the first to discover Herkimer diamonds in New York in surrounding fields and streams. Today Ace of Diamonds Mine and Herkimer Diamond Mine allow amateur enthusiasts to prospect and collect Herkimer Diamonds for a fee. Both mines offer tools for rent and small exhibit areas showcasing various Herkimer Diamonds found on the premises.