Krystle Brooks Jewelry brings hand-mined Herkimer diamonds to Charleston

A family jewelry business built around stones mined by hand in upstate New York has officially planted roots in Charleston. Krystle Cej, who recently relocated from Los Angeles, and her niece Alayna Dupper, who made the move from Pittsburgh, are bringing Herkimer diamonds to Charleston – naturally formed quartz crystals known for their clarity and natural faceting.

The stones come from the Mohawk Valley in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. The process is very hands-on: breaking open rock with tools, searching for pockets, and hoping something’s inside. “Sometimes you find nothing, other times you find something incredible,” Alayna said. “We like to refer to it as an adult treasure hunt.” The stones are uncut and unpolished, making each one one-of-a-kind.

The inspiration for the business came after Krystle’s brother Zachary, who has been mining these crystals for over a decade, invited his sister and niece for a mining adventure. “There was something about discovering these stones in their natural state that stayed with us,” Alayna said. “That first experience ultimately inspired us to build a business centered around them.”

Krystle Brooks Jewelry mines specifically from “Diamond Mountain” in Little Falls, New York – a site known for producing AAA grade stones which are well suited for fine jewelry. When selecting stones, the team looks for clarity, natural shape, and overall presence. “Each stone has its own energy and character,” Alayna said.

Part of what makes Herkimers unique is just how geographically rare they are. They can only be found in a narrow region of upstate New York spanning roughly 60 miles, formed under highly specific geological conditions that existed in that one area around half a billion years ago. Some stones even contain Anthraxolite – inclusions of ancient plant matter preserved inside the crystal. A visible moment of early earth, set in jewelry.

Krystle Brooks Jewelry participates in local markets and pop-ups around Charleston and continues to expand its presence alongside its online store. Pieces are also available at Lowcountry Whimsy, 1405 Ben Sawyer Blvd #105 in Mount Pleasant.