1.97 carat Diamond Found at Arkansas Park

Published on: May 31st, 2011

Go to Arkansas. Find a diamond! Last Saturday, a 1.97-carat rough diamond was found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Park officials say Troy Smith, visiting from Des Moines, Iowa, searched for about 30 minutes and found the rough diamond. The diamond, named “Jamie’s Heart” after Smith’s daughter, is the fourth largest diamond to be found this year at the Crater of Diamonds State Park.

1.97 carat diamond found at Crater of Diamonds State Park

1.97-carat diamond found at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas
Photo: Crater of Diamonds State Park

Finders, keepers. If you find a diamond at the park, you get to keep it, no matter what the size or rarity. Diamonds (including fancy colors), chalcedony, garnet, peridot, quartz, and hematite are among the many gem species found at the park. Rock hounds, gem lovers and folks who just like to dig in the dirt gravitate to the park year-round. The “Crater of Diamonds” is actually a 37.5-acre plowed field, which sits atop a diamond-bearing volcanic pipe. While the mine is not commercially viable, it yields a small percentage of gem quality diamonds. In 1924, the mine yielded a 40.23-carat diamond named the “Uncle Sam.” In 1956, a 15.31-carat diamond was found and was later cut into an 8.27 carat marquise. In 1990, a 3.03-carat rough diamond was found, which became a 1.09-carat D Flawless diamond. Pricescope field trip, anyone?