Introduction
Did you know that Herkimer Diamonds are not real diamonds? Instead, these are quartz crystals that formed about 500 million years ago in the dolomite outcrops of Herkimer County, New York. In recent times, these stones have become quite popular because of their exceptional clarity, and a lot of jewelers are using them for making beautiful gemstone rings. In this blog, we will perform an in-depth comparison of Herkimer Diamond rings with traditional diamond rings in terms of style and setting. We are also going to cover some of the popular settings that jewelry enthusiasts choose when buying a Herkimer Diamond ring. So, let us begin by first getting accustomed to this new stone – the Herkimer Diamond.
What is Herkimer Diamond?
Herkimer Diamond is a type of quartz crystal that is doubly terminated, meaning it has natural facets on both ends. The reason for this gemstone’s rarity is that any doubly terminated crystal requires very specific conditions to form. The primary condition for the formation of any doubly terminated crystal (including Herkimer Diamond) is the requirement of space with minimal interference from surrounding rock. The presence of empty space within the host rock allows the crystal to develop facets on both ends freely.
Mineral Composition of Herkimer Diamond
The primary constituents that form the Herkimer Diamond crystal is silicon dioxide (SiO2), and thus, it is the same as with other quartz crystals.
Common inclusions found in this crystal are as follows:
Physical Properties of Herkimer Diamond
The physical properties of this crystal are as follows:
- Crystal Structure: Hexagonal crystal system with a double-terminated structure that features 18 faces – 6 on each point and 6 in the center.
- Hardness: Ranging between 7 to 7.5 on the Moh’s Scale, this crystal is hard enough to scratch glass.
- Clarity: Highly famed for its exceptional transparency. Appears flawless to the naked eye.
- Specific Gravity: Ranges between 2.6 to 2.7
- Luster: Vitreous or glass-like
- Refractive Index: 1.543 to 1.554
- Cleavage: Cleavage is absent. However, the crystal does exhibit conchoidal fracture.
Herkimer Diamond Rings vs Traditional Diamond Rings
Herkimer Diamond rings are an uncommon alternative to traditional diamond rings. Both of these ring types have different styles that suit different kinds of people. Below is the comparison of Herkimer Diamond rings with traditional diamond rings in terms of style and setting:
Natural Appeal
Herkimer diamond rings showcase the natural beauty of the crystal – the doubly terminated-shaped crystal with 18 facets is set in the ring in uncut form, which is basically rough or raw form. Most often, the prong setting is employed in the ring in order to show the stone’s unique characteristic traits. Since the crystal is in rough or raw form, it has a natural appeal to it.
In comparison to Herkimer Diamond rings, traditional diamond rings are most often set with cut and polished stones that are cut in standardized shapes by lapidaries, like the princess or round cut.
Natural Appeal
Although both natural diamonds and Herkimer Diamonds are adored for their clarity, both these stones differ in brilliance. What does it mean?
It means that Herkimer diamonds exhibit exceptional transparency, which is why they are often flawless to the naked eye, whereas traditional diamonds are cut to maximize the reflection of light so that it results in sparkle and fire. This is why Herkimer Diamond rings have a subtle, glass-like sheen as opposed to diamonds that show intense brilliance and a rainbow effect.
Setting Styles
Most of the Herkimer Diamond rings that you will find in the market will either be in minimalist designs that highlight the natural shape of the crystal, or they will be in the wire-wrapped setting so as to give the ring an organic look. Most often, the setting used here tries to showcase the crystal’s raw, uncut beauty and natural crystal terminations.
In contrast, the traditional diamond rings that various jewelers sell are either in classic solitaire designs or in halo settings with accent diamonds. Here, the setting requires cutting and polishing of diamonds so that it achieves its signature brilliance, and the stone is never used in raw, uncut form.
Symbolism and Charm
Why people choose Herkimer Diamond rings:
- These rings are great for starting conversations because they look unique and one-of-a-kind. Have trouble breaking the ice? Choose these gemstone rings.
- Most often, this crystal is ethically sourced and mined locally, and thus, these rings are great for people who wish for sustainable and ethical jewelry.
- The crystal retains all its healing properties because it’s completely natural and unaltered.
Why people choose Traditional Diamond rings:
- These rings are a classic symbol of enduring love and are great for proposing to your partner.
- These rings fit into cultural expectations perfectly.
- The perceived value of these rings is very high, and the wearer feels honored as he wears these rings.
Popular Settings to Choose for Your Herkimer Diamond Ring
Prong Setting
The prong setting is the most popular choice for a Herkimer Diamond ring because it allows maximum light to enter the stone, thus maximizing the brilliance and showing the clarity of the stone. This stone has an 18-facet structure, and the prong setting exposes most of the crystal’s surface. Pro tip: if you want to emphasize the natural raw beauty of the stone, you can get this setting designed with minimal metal contact.
Rough (or Raw) Setting
Many of the designer rings that you find online embrace a natural, uncut form of Herkimer Diamond. Within the settings that utilize rough stones, you can find the wire-wrapped setting that showcases the crystal’s unadulterated organic shape. You can also find rustic or boho styles that highlight the natural facets of the stone. Oftentimes, you will find that within these rings, Herkimer diamond is paired with other raw crystals like moldavite.
Bezel Setting
If you are looking for a setting that offers protection to the stone whilst also looking sleek and modern, you can opt for a bezel setting in which the precious metal surrounds the entire edge of the crystal. A pro tip: you can get the ring designed with openings or cutouts in order to reveal the crystal’s natural terminations.
Conclusion
So, did you find the comparison of the Herkimer Diamond ring with a traditional diamond ring interesting? Also, now that you are aware of the popular settings that can be employed in Herkimer Diamond rings, you can go to your nearest jeweler and confidently shop for your desired ring. With that being said, are you a retailer who is interested in purchasing these rings at wholesale rates?
We, Rananjay Exports, India’s biggest wholesale gemstone jewelry supplier, deal in a wide variety of Herkimer Diamond jewelry, like rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Apart from Herkimer diamond rings, we sell a wide range of other gemstone rings – to be precise, we sell rings in 200+ different types of gemstones. All of our jewelry collection is made in pure 925 sterling silver, and all the gemstones set in our jewelry are ethically sourced and natural. So, begin browsing Rananjay’s website – for starters, you can begin browsing our birthstone jewelry collection and chakra jewelry collection.
