According to Arkansas State Parks, a visitor to the park recently discovered a 3.29-carat brown diamond, the largest to be discovered there since September 2021.
Have you ever dreamed of finding a diamond in the rough?
For David Anderson, a tourist from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, that dream is a reality. Anderson discovered a 3.29-carat brown diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, on March 4, 2023, per a press release from the park.
This rare gem is the largest diamond discovered at the park since September 2021, the park said in a statement.
The discovery of Anderson's latest diamond, named B.U.D. for "Big, Ugly Diamond," was quite a surprise. While wet-sifting soil from the park's West Drain, Anderson initially thought he had found quartz due to its shiny appearance. Upon closer inspection, he realized he had discovered a diamond.
B.U.D. has a light brown color and octahedron shape, with a partially resorbed surface and lots of inclusions. The metallic shine typical of all diamonds found at the park is also present.
“My first trip here was in 2007. After I found my first diamond, a 1.5-carat white, I was hooked,” David Anderson said in the release.
Anderson intends to sell his latest diamond, as he has done with his previous discoveries.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond mine in the world open to the public, making it a popular destination for diamond hunters and enthusiasts alike. It covers 37.5 acres and is home to over 33,000 diamonds, with an average of two diamonds found daily.
The park allows visitors to keep the diamonds they find.
Visitors are encouraged to dig and sift through the park's soil in search of diamonds and other gems.
Per an excerpt from CBS News:
The park was formed in 1972, but the diamond field was found in 1906. Since then, over 75,000 diamonds have been found there. Since 2007, Anderson has found more than 400 diamonds, including 15 weighing over one carat, the park said in a statement. He has also found a 3.83-carat yellow diamond in 2011 and a 6.19-carat white gem in 2014.
Per BBC News:
The site is also where the largest diamond ever found in the US was discovered.
In 1924, a white diamond with a pink cast weighing 40.23 carats was unearthed from the site.
Dubbed the "Uncle Sam", it is now on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC.
Closing Thoughts
Anderson's latest discovery is a testament to the park's potential for uncovering valuable gems. It also serves as a reminder that even the most experienced diamond hunters can still be surprised by what they find.
For Anderson, the thrill of the hunt and the joy of discovering a new diamond never get old.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
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