KOA Resorts offer a carefree vacation in the great outdoors. Enjoy robust recreation and staff-led activities, kick back and relax by the resort-style pool, or grab a bite to eat, all while never leaving the campground. And with plenty of RV Sites with KOA Patios® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths to meet your needs, it’s the ultimate camping getaway.
KOA Resorts offer a carefree vacation in the great outdoors. Enjoy robust recreation and staff-led activities, kick back and relax by the resort-style pool, or grab a bite to eat, all while never leaving the campground. And with plenty of RV Sites with KOA Patios® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths to meet your needs, it’s the ultimate camping getaway.
I-90 Exit 30: Follow Rt 28 signs north. Go 7 miles north from Herkimer. KOA is on the right, just past the Herkimer Diamond Mines on left.
GPS: N43.127047, W74.975852
Have you ever wondered how to find Herkimer Diamonds?
There's nothing quite like splitting open a rock and discovering a crystal that formed more than 500 million years ago. Whether you're new to rockhounding or planning your first visit to Herkimer Diamond Mines, this beginner's guide will help you understand what to look for, where to search, and how to improve your chances of finding your own Herkimer Diamonds.
True Herkimer Diamonds are found almost exclusively in Herkimer County, New York.
These famous double-terminated quartz crystals are embedded within the Little Falls Dolostone, a rock formation that dates back to the Cambrian Period.
The most popular place for Herkimer Diamond mining is Herkimer Diamond Mines in Herkimer, New York. Visitors can purchase a mining pass, access the quarry, and keep any Herkimer Diamonds they find.
No prior mining experience is required.
Families, first-time visitors, crystal collectors, and experienced rockhounds all enjoy searching for Herkimer Diamonds throughout the mining season.
One of the most important parts of successful Herkimer Diamond mining is learning what kind of rocks to target.
Herkimer Diamonds form inside natural cavities known as vugs within the dolostone.
When searching for promising rocks, look for:
Rough or porous-looking dolostone
Small holes or depressions on the surface
Weathered rocks with visible pockets
Darker rocks that may be coated in clay
Areas where other miners have recently uncovered fresh material
Over time, experienced miners develop an instinct for identifying rocks that are more likely to contain crystals.
For beginners, the best approach is simply to examine a lot of material and learn as you go.
This is the classic Herkimer Diamond mining technique.
Start by selecting a promising piece of dolostone. Place it on a stable surface and carefully split it using a crack hammer and chisel.
Once the rock opens, inspect both halves thoroughly.
Sometimes a crystal is immediately visible. Other times you'll need to look closely inside small cavities and pockets.
This method requires patience, but it is also how many of the most impressive Herkimer Diamonds are found.
Not every Herkimer Diamond needs to be excavated from solid rock.
Some crystals naturally weather out of the dolostone and can be found on the quarry floor among loose gravel and debris.
Surface collecting is one of the easiest ways for beginners and younger children to participate in Herkimer Diamond hunting.
Always keep your eyes on the ground because you never know when a crystal might be waiting in plain sight.
Some mining areas allow visitors to shovel loose material into buckets and wash it through screens or sifters.
This process helps reveal smaller Herkimer Diamonds that might otherwise go unnoticed.
While the crystals found through sifting are often smaller, the method can be surprisingly productive and is a favorite activity for families.
Successful miners often follow a few simple strategies.
Morning hours are typically cooler and less crowded.
Starting early also gives you more time to work through promising areas before the busiest part of the day.
Instead of moving around constantly, spend time exploring one section before relocating.
Careful, methodical searching often produces better results than rushing from place to place.
When splitting dolostone, always inspect both halves.
Crystals frequently remain attached to one side of the rock and can be easy to overlook.
Finding Herkimer Diamonds can be unpredictable.
You may split dozens of rocks before finding a crystal, or you may discover one almost immediately.
Persistence is often rewarded.
Herkimer Diamond mining is physical work.
Bring water, take breaks, and be prepared for a full day outdoors.
Safety glasses are essential.
Rock chips can travel surprisingly far when splitting dolostone, making eye protection one of the most important pieces of equipment you'll bring.
Many first-time visitors are surprised to learn that most Herkimer Diamonds are relatively small.
Common finds are often the size of a pea, fingernail, or marble.
However, size isn't everything.
Even small Herkimer Diamonds can display remarkable clarity, perfect double termination, and beautiful natural faceting.
Larger specimens are discovered every year, and finding one is an unforgettable experience.
Some crystals also contain fascinating inclusions such as:
Tiny water pockets
Air bubbles
Anthraxolite
Ancient organic material
Mineral inclusions
These features make every crystal unique.
Many visitors quickly realize that one day isn't enough.
That's why staying at Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort is one of the best ways to experience everything the property has to offer.
Located directly on-site, the resort allows guests to spend more time mining and less time driving.
Accommodation options include:
RV sites
Tent sites
Camping cabins
Deluxe cabins
Luxury lodges
Guests can also enjoy:
Swimming pool
Creek tubing on West Canada Creek
Family activities
Shopping and dining
Easy access to the mining area
It's the perfect home base for a Herkimer Diamond mining vacation.
Whether you're interested in crystal collecting, geology, family-friendly activities, or simply trying something new, Herkimer Diamond mining is one of the most unique experiences in New York State.
Spend the day searching for crystals that formed more than 500 million years ago, learn about the area's fascinating geology, and create memories you'll talk about for years to come.
Ready to start digging?
Book your stay at Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort and experience one of the most exciting gem mining adventures in New York.
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