Little Falls "Diamonds" are not actually diamonds - they are, in fact, quartz crystals. Nevertheless, they are uncommonly beautiful, perfectly formed, water-clear, naturally-formed gemstones. Because of their clarity and brilliance, they were reportedly mistaken for real diamonds by the early Dutch settlers in the 1600's. Since first described as "Herkimer diamonds" in the 19th century, they have been avidly sought after by collectors the world over.

The crystals are found both loose in the soil and in holes (called vugs) in the middle of the rock, and range from microscopic in size to over 14" across. The smaller, jewel-like crystals are the most sought after by some diggers. They are often perfect in form and clarity with terminations at both ends. Because of their natural beauty, these small diamonds are often mounted into pieces of jewelry.

Associated minerals are dolomite, calcite, pyrite, and a black, coal-like hydrocarbon called anthraxolite. Sometimes, these minerals are found included in the quartz crystals. In addition to anthraxolite inclusions, liquid sometimes fills small cavities within the diamonds. Dramatic movable bubbles in the liquid are very highly prized.

Here is a technical discussion of the rare sceptered crystals sometimes found at Treasure Mountain:

Sometimes larger equant crystals have skeletal rhombohedral faces. Elongated, prismatic quartz crystals are almost always black from included hydrocarbon dust. Many of these crystals are doubly terminated and are translucent when viewed under strong transillumination. Relatively frequently the black prisms are overgrown with colorless quartz on one end to form scepters or both ends to form "dumbbells." Sometimes the late-stage crystallization of colorless quartz was so extensive that the black stem forms a phantom inside the crystal. Many of these black-stemmed scepters and other combinations of black prismatic quartz and colorless overgrown quartz are terminated with no obvious points of attachment. Such crystals have rarely been found embedded in the cream-colored calcite that completely fills the vug. More often they are essentially loose in cavities, possibly having been freed through the solution of matrix and calcite by ground water.

Borofsky, R.L., Whitmore, R., Chamberlain, S.C., 2000. "Scepter Quartz Crystals from the Treasure Mountain Diamond Mine," Rocks & Minerals 75:4.

We Have Fossils, Too!
In addition to Little Falls "Diamonds," Treasure Mountain also has fossils. Dino's Fossil Pit, located just behind our office, has yielded specimens of fossilized trilobytes and other prehistoric creatures.

© Copyright 2001 Treasure Mountain Diamond Mine