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Cape May Diamond
Cape May Diamond is silicates (quartz pebble), SiO2. In the hand, it rates 7 on the Mohs scale, and it runs water clear and frosted white. Water-clear quartz pebbles, frosted by surf, gathered from one famous New Jersey beach, faceted up they sparkle gamely, but a loupe shows quartz's modest fire, not diamond's.
The geology.
Cape May Diamond carries the formula SiO2. It belongs to the trigonal system. Its listing category is silicates (quartz pebble).
It sits at 7 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads vitreous, frosted until polished. Light behaviour is transparent to translucent. Specific gravity runs 2.65. The streak is white. It breaks with conchoidal fracture.
Water-clear quartz pebbles, frosted by surf, gathered from one famous New Jersey beach, faceted up they sparkle gamely, but a loupe shows quartz's modest fire, not diamond's.
It turns up mostly as rounded beach pebbles, tumbled and faceted souvenirs or jewelry.
The origins.
Sunset Beach, Cape May Point, New Jersey, vein quartz carried down the ancient Delaware River, concentrated where currents eddy around the sunken concrete ship Atlantus.
On value, the database notes: souvenir-priced; sentimental value outruns market value.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, Cape May diamonds carry clear quartz's all-purpose clarity wrapped in seaside nostalgia.
This is lore, and we label it as lore. The measurable facts are further up the page.
Spotting the real thing.
Water-clear quartz pebbles, frosted by surf, gathered from one famous New Jersey beach, faceted up they sparkle gamely, but a loupe shows quartz's modest fire, not diamond's.
Honest as a souvenir; the only sin is the name, faceted Cape May 'diamonds' in boardwalk jewelry are lovely quartz, nothing more.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Diamond | Diamond's adamantine fire, hardness 10, and price, no beach pebble scratches corundum |
| Sea glass (clear) | Glass shows crescent pits and chips glassy; quartz pebbles are harder and waxier |
| Herkimer diamond | Herkimers are sharp doubly-terminated crystals from rock pockets, not surf-rounded pebbles |
At-home tests.
A loupe and a window seat settle most questions about cape may diamond. No workshop required.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| Scratch check | Scratches glass easily (quartz, 7) |
| Loupe | subtle internal veils typical of vein quartz |
| By eye | Found rolled and frosted, facets are always cut later |
Stop short of anything that leaves a mark. A gemologist can answer the rest without damaging the stone.
Care & handling.
At 7 on the Mohs scale it stands up to everyday wear. It will still chip on a hard knock, so treat edges and points with respect.
It breaks with conchoidal fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Skip the ultrasonic. Lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft cloth handle routine cleaning without risk.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is SiO2. Crystal system: Trigonal. Specific gravity: 2.65. Streak: White. Cleavage and fracture: Conchoidal fracture.
How it reaches the market
Sunset Beach, Cape May Point, New Jersey, vein quartz carried down the ancient Delaware River, concentrated where currents eddy around the sunken concrete ship Atlantus.
What it gets confused with
Diamond: Diamond's adamantine fire, hardness 10, and price, no beach pebble scratches corundum. Sea glass (clear): Glass shows crescent pits and chips glassy; quartz pebbles are harder and waxier. Herkimer diamond: Herkimers are sharp doubly-terminated crystals from rock pockets, not surf-rounded pebbles.
What it is worth
Souvenir-priced; sentimental value outruns market value.
Where buyers get caught
Honest as a souvenir; the only sin is the name, faceted Cape May 'diamonds' in boardwalk jewelry are lovely quartz, nothing more.
One more thing
The pebbles pile up beside a shipwreck made of concrete, the WWI experimental ship Atlantus ran aground in 1926 and its hulk still funnels the 'diamonds' onto Sunset Beach for tourists to pocket.
An education-first guide.
We do not carry cape may diamond. This page exists because the question comes up and the honest answer is worth writing down, whether or not there is anything here to sell you.
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