herkimer diamond mines

We were camping across the street at the KOA and ventured over to do some mining. Even though it was a chilly early-Spring day we still had lots of fun. The kids really enjoyed looking and competing for the "biggest diamond". Once we were finished mining the staff inside was fantastic and very patient with the kids. They explained to them exactly what they had found!

we had so much fun there mining. It was truly amgreat experience and we would go back for sure. Love the gift shop and short film theatre style explaining the mining.

Went there to visit had fun got some diamonds their so beautiful the sites were so beautiful got somethings at the gift shop to

We just stopped into the scheduling center to see what they had to offer as far as activities. They had a full schedule coming in at 10:00 and were just getting ready. We were going to stop back but came home a different route than we went.

We stopped here over the summer and the girls loved it! The educational side of it and the activity itself. A tip for parents of younger kids.... we purchased a couple stones in the store and brought them with us to the quarry. Imagine the joy on your child's face when they find a huge stone (that you placed next to them). Well worth the time to visit.

Such an awesome activity to do in Herkimer! We found about 10 little Herkimer Diamonds on our hunt. Don't be discouraged - look for the RED rocks :) Also, I would definitly NOT visit when they are busy. We were the only ones there (last day of the season) and it was wonderful. I couldn't imagine going on a day when you have tons of people around you.

Since I have family that lives near here, I've wanted to visit here for awhile. I finally had my opportunity recently and I'm glad I stopped. I had a great time searching for the beautiful Herkimer diamond. I was not as successful as all the Boy Scouts that happened to be there with me, but I had a great time. I would suggest wearing gloves and bringing your own tools, like a chisel and hammer.

We've been twice and have had fun both times, everyone has found diamonds - kids and adults. I actually had some earrings and a necklace made up this trip with the diamonds we found.

We went through the museum here it was very good. A lot of history in the video that runs all day. Nice specimens of all kinds of rocks and gems.

The Koa across from the Herkimer Diamond Mines is a great campground to stay at, they have activities for the whole family.Right away when you arrive you feel at home and they are acros the road from the Herkimer Diamond Mines which you will enjoy by spending a lot of hours trying to find diamonds(quarts)and probably one or two days more when you find some I know, I did find a few. Also there is Howe's caverns just an hour's drive at 255 Discover Drive, Howes Cave NY were you will have trills visiting the caverns.

No, we did not get our retirement fund and you probably won't find your kid's college fund either, but this is a fun thing to do. We spend a couple hours each for two days 'mining.' We found some small and some the size of your small fingernail diamonds. The instruction video was not any help. If you go by that alone, you will spend a lot of time wasted on hammering rocks on the ground. What the video needs to do is explain about what you look for - like small holes in the rock and the type of rock you look for. We talked to some of the commercial miners and they gave us hints. The hammers you get will not help you in a serious hunt. You need the help of a chisel. I suggest you buy one at the coal Lowe's at a much lower price or you can go for the ones in the gift shop at a few dollars more. By the way - no one will tell you that Herkimer diamonds are not like a diamond you are used to. In other words, if you smack it with your hammer, it will crush! DO NOT DO THIS! We did and killed several of the bigger ones we had, until the commercial miner told us that they will break if you do this and not to do that! The people who work there are very nice. The gift shop has some amazing samples of rocks from all over the world and if you want to spend money on jewelry already made form Herkimer diamonds, this is the place to find it. We had fun, and we only hurt a moderate amount after all that pounding. Be prepared, you will be walking over a lot of rock and hitting solid things with heavy things, so it is not for the handicapped, the people who have trouble with balance and walking, or have major back and shoulder problems. BTW - your admission is discounted a small amount it you are staying at the KOA across the street, as we were. At $20 a couple, it is cheap fun. You can spend a long time playing here, but we needed to stop by the time we hit 3 hours.

No instruction, no fresh mining material, nothing found the whole day except a few chips. Not all the staff was the friendliest, although there was one man that was very helpful. They basically don't have tools to rent except a hammer, and there is not fresh material out--When we hit the second mine the next day--ACE OF DIAMONDS--we had a totally different experience--I would say if you want to let the kids play, and sluice in salted bags then you are good. If you are serious about mining, don't limit yourself to one mine--THERE ARE THREE and you can find the one that feels right to you--I do have to say the KOA staff was great, the cabins nice--make sure you get a deluxe with YOUR OWN bathroom--we had a firepit and a beautiful porch swing too

This place is so interesting that we make it a point to come by every time we are traveling back east. Great store. Really fun.

My son loves coming here and we go there every year for his birthday. We always have a nice time. The staff are lovely and welcoming. We find diamonds every time, but I recommend that you go after a rain storm. The diamonds are literally on the ground ready to be picked up

Unhappy, unfriendly, over priced. That sums this place up. Spare yourself and head for Ace. They're just nicer.