Crater of Diamonds State Park is a unique attraction in Arkansas, where you can dig for your own diamonds and keep what you find. It is one of the only places in the world where the public can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source. The park covers 911 acres (369 hectares) and features a 37.5-acre (15.2-hectare) plowed field, which is the eroded surface of a volcanic crater². The park also offers camping, hiking, picnic sites, a water park, a visitor center, and a gift shop.
7-year-old girl finds large diamond on her birthday
A 7-year-old girl found the second largest diamond recorded this year at an Arkansas state park.(Sep.7.2023)
Aspen Brown was visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfeesboro, about 90 miles southwest of Little Rock, with her family on Friday to celebrate her birthday.
Aspen went home with a shiny new trinket from the park, a 2.95 golden brown carat diamond found on the north side of the park, according to a news update from Arkansas State Parks.
The largest diamond found this year was unearthed in March weighing in at about 3.29 carat. The diamond was also brown.
How many diamonds have been found?
A farmer by the name of John Huddleston was digging up diamonds on Crater of Diamonds land way before it became a state park in 1972. Over 75,000 diamonds have been found since then, according to park officials.
The largest diamond ever found in the U.S. was found at Crater of Diamonds in 1924 during an early mining operation.
Tips for finding a diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds State Park is one of the only places in the world where visitors can search for diamonds from an original volcanic source, according to the Crater of Diamonds State Park’s website.
The diamond search area consists of a 37.5 acre field. Any rocks, minerals, or gemstones a visitor finds are theirs to keep.
Visitors can also bring their own mining equipment or rent tools from the park. No battery powered or motor-driven mining tools are permitted, the website stated.
Even though diamonds come in all shapes and colors, the three colors most commonly found at the park are: white, brown, and yellow. Park staff will assist in identifying all of the rocks, minerals, or gems found in the park.
Here are some things to keep an eye out for as you search:
- Diamonds are usually clean crystals with a rounded surface and metallic shine
- About half of all diamonds registered by park guests are found in sifted gravel taken home from the park.
- Each guest may take up to five gallons of sifted gravel home per day to search for diamonds later.
Diamond search area admission is $13 for adults and $6.20 for adults. An admissions past cost $220. For more information, visit Crater of Diamonds State Park’s website.