106 years ago, a local farmer found diamonds in the soil of his Murfreesboro, Arkansas farm. That land has since become the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only diamond-producing site in North America. Visitors to the park can view some of the most famous finds in the Diamond Discovery Center. Among those on display are the Strawn-Wagner Diamond, which is “the most perfect diamond the American Gem Society ever certified”. The Uncle Sam Diamond, 40.23-carat, is the largest found – not only at The Crater of Diamonds, but also in North America.
Admission to the state park is $7 for adults, and you get to keep anything you find! In addition to diamonds, visitors may also find over 40 different rocks and minerals including amethyst, jasper, quartz, garnet, and hematite. Outside the visitors center, you will enter a 37 1/2-acre plowed field. This diamond search area is plowed periodically to help bring diamonds to the surface. A popular time to find surface diamonds is after a recent rain storm. The park rents a limited number of tools for digging, or you are welcome to bring your own. Park staff are available for identifying any rocks or minerals that you find.
On Monday, August 27, 2012, CNBC will air “The Diamond Rush” at 8pm CT. A segment of this broadcast will feature a man who has found 200 diamonds at the park. Crater of Diamonds State Park is just 43 miles from our bed and breakfast. Be sure to bring old clothes and shoes, because you WILL get dirty as you search. Sunscreen is a must as well. As you can see from the picture above, if the weather gets too hot and you’re not having any luck at finding precious stones, you can always go to Plan B, and have a mud fight!