Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

12th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Herkimer Diamond

A Herkimer diamond is a crystal that is characterized by having terminations on both ends . My geologist brother tells me they are found in ancient rock ( about 500 million years old) but the crystals were probably formed at a later time by hot liquids passing through sponge-like, porous rock. They are named after Herkimer, N.Y., where they have been found in abundance.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2014
Date Uploaded: 11.2014
Photo Location: Vancouver, Canada
Copyright: © jacqueline karista