The history of “Cape May Diamonds” begins in the distant past when Cape May Point was the tribal headquarters of the Kechemeche Indians, part of the Lenni-Lenape Council, and blood affiliates of the Algonguin Nation, a peace-loving tribe of Native Americans.

   The Kechemeche were the first to discover the beautiful translucent stones known as “Cape May Diamonds.” These gems were found in areas along the beaches of the Delaware Bay, and the Kechemeche held them in high esteem, believing that they had supernatural powers, and influenced success, well-being and good fortune for the one who possessed them.

   Bonds of friendship and lasting good will were often sealed with the gift or exchange of these beautiful sacred gems, which was especially true when they were larger and free of flaws. King Nummy, last chief of the Lenni-Lenape, gave Christopher Leaming, an early settler, one of the largest “Cape May Diamonds.” King Nummy had received the stone from the Kechemeche as a tribute and proof of their faithfulness and loyalty.

   Mr. Leaming sent it back to the old country, and a lapidary expert in Amsterdam, Holland cut and polished the stone into a beautiful gem.

   “Cape May Diamonds” are actually pure quartz crystals, the most common of minerals, stripped from veins of quartz  hundreds of miles up the river by the swift waters of the Delaware. Thousands of years pass as they’re carried downstream to the 17 mile wide mouth of the Delaware Bay. They are propelled swiftly as they approach the bay’s mouth because the belly of the bay is 26 miles across, and this causes a strong outflow and inflow of tides.

   The quartz pebbles swirl ashore, sometimes containing fossilized sharks’ teeth and Indian arrowheads. Larger stones usually come ashore mostly in the winter months when the surf is considerably stronger, particularly during storms.

   “Cape May Diamonds” come in a variety of sizes. Some as large as eggs have been found, and one gem weighed in at over a pound. When cut or faceted and polished, they have the appearance of a genuine diamond, and they can be mounted in gold, silver or platinum, creating beautiful jewelry.