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Obsidian is a type of naturally occurring volcanic glass, produced when lava cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth. It has a high silica content, and upon rapid cooling, it results in a natural glass. The brittle quality of Obsidian lends itself to be sharpened, just as shards of glass are extremely sharp. For this reason, Obsidian has been used to make cutting and piercing tools, such as arrowheads and experimentally as surgical blades.
A Herkimer “Diamond” is a double terminated quartz (SiO2) crystal in its original form, as faceted by nature. The best crystals (1/4” – 1” in size) with brilliance, clarity, and surface luster approach a real diamond in appearance. Having been originally found in Little Falls, Herkimer County, NY determined the name. Today they can be found over a ten by fifty mile belt covering Herkimer, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties. Fee collecting areas are located in Fonday, St. Johnsville, and Littleville, NY. Specimens are found in pockets of dolomite limestone rock, while loose crystals can be sifted from the topsoil in many areas. Loose crystals in their natural form are readily adaptable to jewelry making, whereas crystals still attached to the rock matrix are the most desired by the pure collector throughout the world.
