![]() There are new signs up by the DEC that say collecting is now prohibited due to the health risks in handling lead based minerals, but there were a number of families there collecting. The chalopyrite was hard to find, but pretty with it's shimmery blue/green pieces. We found a couple of stray clear quartz crystals, but mostly white or orange quartz with minerals such as the shiney black galena mixed in. The tailings pile here has plenty of stuff to pick through. Tips - This is an old lead mine, so make sure the kids wash their hands well after collecting, and not in the stream there which the signs will tell you is also contaminated with lead. Website - This one tells about the history of the mines in this area: Cut through the trees and go to the tailings. You will see the tailings pile there in an open sandy area. AFTER the 4th wooden bridge, but BEFORE the 5th, look through the trees to the right. As you walk along, you will cross several wooden bridges. Go around the gate and continue along the canal. A public walking trail past the houses to the north runs alongside the old D&H Canal. The galena will be black.Īddress - Park at the intersection of McDonald Rd & Leadmine Rd. The pyrite looks like little chunks of gold and the chalcopyrite can be rainbow shimmery. What is it - The quartz here is white or yellowish. What you'll find - Quartz Galena, Pyrite, Chalcopyrite Quartz, Galena, Pyrite, Chalcopyrite - Wurtsboro, NY They will be cleaner and easier to spot as a shinny or black spot for bigger diamonds on the surface of the dirt pile. Kid Facts - The best time to look for Herkimer's is after it has rained. The regulars with claims there were are really friendly and helpful and enjoyed giving my kids a few small freebies. For $2 a person it's a steal, and I laughed when they told us of the further discount for the kids. There are no signs, and when you drive in you'll just see a trailer in need of new siding where we payed our fee. That being said, I have no idea if they keep hours or when the close for the season. This is not a crowded touristy spot like the mines north of Herkimer which is probably why we found more at this location in a few minutes than we sometimes have after a full day of hunting at other mines. ![]() Most of the collectors here are out for much larger diamonds, some as big as footballs, so the little ones often get overlooked. We found a few this way, but it was really hot that day and much easier to go back and hunt through the pile. If you can find an old, unused, claim (not marked off by tarps and tape) you may be able to find some diamonds by chipping away more rock. The serious collectors have claims back on the trails in the woods where you'll see people with 10 feet deep holes in the rock toiling away with power and hand tools. Within a few minutes we each found a small handful of diamonds and fragments. Tips - The easiest place to find diamonds with the kids is right in the front of the property by the large tailings pile. Website - /DiamondAcres.html (about the mine) Hours - Unknown (We went on a Sat in July)įees - $2 for adults, $1 for kids 12 and underĪddress - Just west of the intersection of Stone Arabia Rd. ![]() What are they - Very clear, double pointed quartz crystals
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