Have you ever wondered what it feels like to unearth a real gemstone right out of the dirt? Over 75,000 diamonds have been discovered at Crater of Diamonds State Park, and visitors report an average of one diamond find per day!
Wondering if everyday guests actually find real gems? Read our companion guide, Where to Find Diamonds in Arkansas, to hear about our guest Miranda’s 33-point diamond discovery and learn how you can win a free night at Tiffany's Bed and Breakfast!
Finding a diamond takes patience, a little luck, and the right approach. While we aren't professional miners, we’ve learned the best insider techniques from veteran rockhounds who consistently find gems. Here is your ultimate field guide to digging for Arkansas diamonds!
What to wear
Pro tip: you're going to get dirty!
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Clothing: Wear clothes and shoes you don't mind getting dirty. Bring a clean change of clothes and shoes for the ride back to the Inn.
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Footwear: We strongly recommend waterproof rubber boots—even in the driest months, the search field and wash stations stay muddy!
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Clean-Up: The park provides high-powered water hoses near the exit to wash off your boots and gear before heading to your car.
What to bring
Any serious diamond hunter needs three basic tools: a shovel for digging, screens for sifting the gravel, and a bucket to carry material to the wash station.
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Skip the Rental Lines: Avoid long security deposit and rental lines at the park by adding our Dig for Diamonds Package when you book direct at Tiffany's. We supply a full-sized shovel, a screen sifting set, and a 5-gallon bucket! (Plus, each visitor is allowed to take up to 5 gallons of sorted gravel home from the park).
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Field Essentials: Pack heavy-duty rubber gloves for washing gravel, sun hats, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of cold water or drinks.
What to See Before You Dig
Start your visit at the Information Center to present your tickets and explore interactive exhibits on why diamonds exist in Arkansas.
As you head toward the field, pass through the Diamond Discovery Center. Here, you’ll see rough diamonds and local mineral displays. Be sure to check the schedule for the park interpreter’s daily "Mining 101" walkthrough! This is also where you will bring your finds at the end of the day for free staff identification—and, if you hit the jackpot, official diamond certification!
How to Search: Surface Hunting vs. Wet Sifting
The 37-acre search field is an open, eroded volcanic crater that park staff plow periodically. There are two primary ways to search:
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Surface Searching: Walk along the plowed rows looking for a metallic sheen or glassy glint on top of the soil. This method works exceptionally well right after a heavy rainfall or fresh plowing!
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Deep Digging & Wet Sifting: The topmost layer of dirt rarely holds diamonds. Dig down until you hit concentrated, dark gravel. Fill your bucket and head to one of the park’s wash stations:
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Sift: Nest your screens (largest mesh on top, fine mesh below), pour in your gravel, and submerge the screens in water, shaking them until the mud and dirt washes away.
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Center: Rotate and tap your screen underwater to force the heaviest stones to the bottom center.
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Flip: Flip the screen upside down onto a dry, flat surface. Your heaviest gravels (where diamonds settle!) will now be right at the top of the pile.
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Remember: Arkansas diamonds can be white, bright yellow, or brown, and they have a smooth, slick luster rather than a rough surface.
What Else Can You Find in the Dirt?
You don't have to find a diamond to go home with a treasure! The park's soil is rich in beautiful semi-precious stones and minerals. Keep an eye out in your screen for:
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Quartz Crystals: Clear or milky stones that catch the light easily.
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Amethyst: A striking purple variety of quartz.
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Jasper & Agate: Smooth, colorful stones in shades of red, brown, and yellow.
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Barite & Peridotite: Unique minerals characteristic of the park’s ancient volcanic rock.
Ready to Test Your Luck?
Even guests who return to the Inn without a diamond come back with unforgettable memories of an exciting treasure hunt!
If you're ready to plan your trip, explore our fabulous guest rooms, add on our Dig for Diamonds Package, and get ready to treasure your next getaway.
Want to make the most of your trip? Use this guide to hunt for diamonds, then add an extra day to explore downtown Hot Springs using our 36-Hour Hot Springs Itinerary!