Double Terminated Quartz vs Herkimer Diamonds

Natural Herkimer Diamond

Herkimer Diamonds are double terminated Quartz crystals that have naturally formed and are found only in Herkimer, New York. The Mohawk Indians and other early settlers found these Herkimer diamonds in stream sediments and fields. They were amazed with these rare crystals and held them in high esteem. 

6" vug rock containing a nice Quartz Double Terminator

Similar formations are found around the world, but can not be called true Herkimers. These are called double terminated Quartz and display this two sided crystal points, showing that little contact with the host rock was made during formation. You can also find Quartz crystals polished into double terminated stones for the same metaphysical energy the natural Herkimers provide - receiving and transmitting energy simultaneously. 

Polished Double Terminated Quartz Pendant

I Dig Crystals
idigcrystals@gmail.com

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Sliding Rocks of Death Valley

An interesting phenomena occurs in Racetrack Playa in Death Valley in which rocks, small to large, slide around mysteriously through the sands. 

Some of these rocks weigh several hundred pounds. That makes the question: "How do they move?" a very challenging one. 

The truth: No one knows for sure exactly how these rocks move - although a few people have come up with some pretty good explanations. The reason why their movement remains a mystery: No one has ever seen them in motion!

Let's learn how they are thought to move....

The Sliding Rocks of Racetrack Playa

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I Dig Crystals
idigcrystals@gmail.com

CRYSTALS: Salt

QUESTION: Hello- I am a grad student in SF studying salt geometry. I was wondering if you have any halite or even fluorite crystals available (similar geometry to salt). I noticed your website mentions that you have sessions available by appointment. I realize that you are closed today (monday) but would it be possible to make an appointment to stop by today? many thanks.

ANSWER: Hi, thank you for your email. Yes, we do have Halite and Fluorite clusters at our store. We are open Tuesday - Saturday 12pm - 6pm. If you are looking for an individual healing session, you can make an appointment with the preferred healer directly. See you tomorrow. You can also purchase stones on our online store at www.satincrystals.com - you will find a large Halite online and two additional Halite clusters in the store, you will find 5 Fluorite clusters online and a few additional in the store.

Sincerely, Sheila Satin

Satin Crystals :: 1718a Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 776-7446

http://www.satincrystals.com

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CRYSTALS: Mohs Scale

Mohs Scale of Hardness uses common crystals to show the relative hardness of stones. Talc being the softest and Diamond being the hardest to scratch or damage. This chart is from Wikipedia...and helps in identifying crystals.

Mohs hardness Mineral Absolute Hardness

1 Talc (Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂) 1

2 Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) 3

3 Calcite (CaCO₃) 9

4 Fluorite (CaF₂) 21

5 Apatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃(OH-,Cl-,F-)) 48

6 Feldspar (KAlSi₃O₈) 72

7 Quartz (SiO₂) 100

8Topaz (Al₂SiO₄(OH-,F-)₂) 200

9 Corundum (Al₂O₃) 400

10 Diamond (C) 1600