While visiting the Tucson Gem show, Kyoko was very fortunate to spend time with the owner of the Herkimer Diamond Mines, Dr. Renee' Scialdo-Shevat.  We were guided through the different grades and making ideal selections for our work. 

With celebrities like Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex proudly wearing these gems, we are excited to be working with these unique gems, some available only in our "one-of-a-kind" offerings. The ring shown here features one of these gorgeous examples.  Contact us for more information.

Herkimer Diamonds are beautiful double-terminated quartz crystals found only in Herkimer, New York.  They are not "true" diamonds, but are much harder than other quartz crystals - about 7.5 on the hardness scale.  

Unlike diamonds which need painstaking cutting & polishing, Herkimers are faceted in their natural form - usually with 18 faces - 6 triangular faces on each end, and 6 rectangular faces in between, with a precision of less than two thousandths of an inch.  These gems are estimated to be over 500 million years old.

Although micro crystals and imperfect ones are common, exceptional ones are quite valuable.  The clarity, shape and condition of perfect examples are prized in jewelry. Quartz crystals have been valued in many cultures for their spiritual and health energy qualities, and Herkimers are especially valued for their properties.