Destination Diamonds

Last week we took a family day trip down the thruway to Herkimer Diamond Mines. We didn't know exactly what to expect, but the idea of finding diamonds sounded intriguing. Herkimer diamonds are actually clear hexagonal quartz crystals that formed in the pores of rocks found in Herkimer County. We were armed with work gloves, safety goggles, chisels and rain coats. Once there, for about $9.00 per person you are given a 2 pound hammer and a zip lock bag for your treasures. You can sit in the mines (open air rock piles) all day and hammer open as many rocks as your arms and back will allow.

We started hammering... and hammering... and hammering... and figured out that this was really hard work. After hammering a few rocks we figured out that the rocks with holes in the outside split open a little more easily and some actually contained small diamonds!

And then Lulu made the big discovery of the day! She hammered open a rock and could see a good sized diamond inside. We all gathered around and out fell a beautiful, shimmering diamond. We were so excited!☺ It's really neat how the diamonds are clean and already faceted just hanging out in rocks waiting to be found.

It was fun even though it was raining and before we knew it the mines were closing! We brought home a few rocks that we didn't have time to break open and a small handful of diamonds. The rules of the mines are you can keep everything you find!

Lulu holding the diamond she found

Psalm 92:15 To show that the Lord is upright: he is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Lulu's smile for the week: Cake batter ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery!☺

Lulu's frown for the week: Chipping nail polish

Nel's smile for the week: Healthy kitties at the vet!☺

Nel's frown for the week: Paying $300 to find out we have healthy kitties!