Herkimer Diamond Mines Inc.

What's Older: Herkimer Diamonds or Dinosaurs?

A Guide to The Herkimer Diamond Mines Museum

Station 1: The Fluorescent Room (All New Additions!!)

The Fluorescent Room is the first station on the learning tour. Large world-class rock and mineral specimens are first viewed under normal incandescent light. Then press a button and -- surprise! -- the lights go off and fantastic, outrageous colors glow from the rocks. These specimens, found in the mines from around the world, exhibit the harmless but spectacular phenomenon known as "fluorescence" Ultraviolet light excites electrons in certain atoms, causing them to glow in bright colors.

Station 2: New York State Display

The second learning station is the New York Display. Superb mineral specimens from New York State localities show what treasures our state provides. The numerical identification system helps the observer locate the specific location on the seven- by seven- foot map. The map illustrates all the rock units, topographic lines, roads and cities.

Station 3: Systematic Collection

Our extensive Systematic Collection is the third stop on our tour. James Dana, an American Professor of Mineral logy at Yale; was the first to organize minerals according to their chemical class. Beginning with examples of elements such as copper, silver, and gold. Our collection displays examples of crystallized oxides, halides, carbonates, phosphates, vanadinates, borates and silicates from around the world.

Station 4: Quartz Collection

The fourth learning station is our Quartz Collection. Rare crystallized examples of rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, smoky, rose, rutilated and septered quartz. Agates, jaspers, cherts, geodes and synthetic quartz crystals are also exhibited and the economically important property of prozoelectricity is explained.

Station 5: Herkimer Diamond Stand Alone

A special effort has been put forward to recognize our world famous Herkimer Diamonds. Nowhere else is there such a breath taking display. Five circular display cases highlight the history and materials found with Herkimer Diamonds. The large center case exhibits hundreds of large jewelry grade crystals. Try to find the rare anhydrous, phantoms, and skeletal crystals nestled among the glittering gems. (New extensive collection of faceted Diamonds!!)

Station 6: Physical Properties of Matter

Learning station 6 explains the physical properties of minerals. Examples of crystal form, habit, conductivity, tenacity, fracture, cleavage, luster, streaks, hardness, specific gravity, and magnetism. Utilizing these basic characteristics enables even the novice to identify one mineral from another.

Station 7: Randy's Room and Fossils

Learning station 7 is a special room "Randy's Room" along with numerous examples of New York State Fossils. This display exhibits fossils of the oldest life form known on earth. The various fossilization processes are illustrated through our unique collection to provide the observer a better appreciation for these beautifully detailed remains of ancient life.

Nicknamed "Randy" by a team of paleontologists after being unearthed in Madagascar, the rare Tyrannosaurus-like Majungatholus skull is the centerpiece at The Herkimer Diamond Mines Museum exhibit on prehistoric geology, fossils, and life.

"Randy" was a massive carnivore similar to the better-known T-Rex," said Renee Scialdo Shevat, the diamond mines’ president. "He ruled the top of the food chain an estimated 65 to 70 million years ago during the late Cretaceous
period."

Randy was discovered in Madagascar off the coast of Africa when a bulldozer was clearing jungle land. It was a rare find: Only three such dinosaur skulls have been found worldwide.

Randy’s scientific name comes from "Majunga", a district of Madagascar, and "tholus," meaning dome in Latin. Randy had a small horn above his eyes. Full grown, Randy was about 30 feet long. The fossil skull is approximately 3 feet long and weighs 350 pounds. The teeth are only slightly smaller than railroad spikes.

Majungatholus was a meat-eater, probably preferring the long-necked, plant-eating sauropods or other large dinosaurs. Interestingly, Randy was found with his last meal--the thighbone of a sauropod--still captured in his teeth.
The rare Majungatholus skull was sought by several leading universities and museums. Herkimer Diamond Mines is pleased to create a new home for Randy in central New York.

Randy is on permanent exhibit at the Herkimer Diamond Mines Museum, which also includes a huge collection of gems, rocks and minerals from around the world, as well as interactive displays.

Station 8: Art Forms

Throughout history, mankind has been fascinated by the beauty of minerals and its art forms. Striving to attain the most from these gems and precious metals man has made jewelry manufacturing a great art form. Beautiful cabochons, faceted gems and inlay design highlight this display as the pinnacle of human effort to embellish the environment.

Station 9: Timeline

Learning station 9 is our answer to the difficult concept of geologic time. Detailed information from the origins of our solar system, plate tectonics through the evolution of modern life is uniquely illustrated along our 22 foot long timeline. Find out what's older; the Herkimer Diamond or the Dinosaur.

Station 10: Economic uses of Rocks and Minerals

Learning station 10 illustrates the uses of rocks and minerals, and the importance of rocks and minerals in our everyday lives. Ores of metals, ceramics, glass, plastics, and building materials are displayed with their finished end product and economic uses.

Station 11: The Diamond Cross

This diamond cross was found the morning of September 11, 2001, at the Herkimer Diamond Mines. This is one of the most beautiful and unusual clusters ever found here. It is on display April through October at the Herkimer Diamond Mines Shop and from November through April you can find it on display at our sister attraction, Gems Along The Mohawk. The Herkimer Diamond Museum has unveiled its collection of faceted diamonds which exceeds 40,000 carats!! What a brilliant display !!!

Station 12: Kingdom of Kimer

Come visit the Kingdom of Kimer. A magical room for quiet reading. Read The Legend of Herkimer Diamonds. A book has been written for children to highlight the notoriety and unique features of the Herkimer Diamonds, which are right here in our backyard!! We also have all 6 plush characters available in gift baskets or sold separately.

Station 13: Diamond Hall of Fame

Honorable, Industrious, Caring, Adventuresome. It is fairly easy to describe the Herkimer Diamond Mines Hall of Fame first inductees. Mr. and Mrs. Al and Jean Snyder of Oneida NY, have been selected as the 2005 recipients of this first year award.

Jean and Al were among the first diamond miners in 1955. With the virgin rock ledge, rock hammers and two children, they aggressively managed to secure one of the first pockets of diamonds known to us. Throughout the years they initiated and managed regional lapidary and gemological organizations while creating and expanding their own business and raising a family.

On Sunday, May 29th,2005, the new hall of Fame was formally opened and Mr. and Mrs. Snyder where inducted by Assemblyman Marc Butler. Al and Jean and their family where our special guests.

The selecting process was international. Based on ten different criteria, the ninety day process produced fifty semi-finalists and twelve finalists, selected by a committee of six advisors. Chairperson, Dr. Renee` Shevat said "It appears that we will have a number or deserving and likely candidates for succeeding years with the overwhelming interest internationally, but for this year we are so very proud to acknowledge the efforts, drive, and modesty displayed by Al and Jean.