Arkansas hosts the only general diamond mine of this planet

Diamonds are formed under severe pressure and heat in the depths of the Earth’s mantle. If you find one of them, it is likely to look like a metal pebble or glass instead of a cut gem that you might picture in your mind. The volcanic soil also contains Amethist, Garnet, Jasper, Adel and different types of quartz. (You can keep it too.)

The largest diamond in the United States comes from this-the unveiling of the 40.23 carat diamond, discovered in 1924 before the land became a government park. In September 2021, the California visitor, Nuren Wardberg, found a 48 -carat yellow diamond after two hours of search, and in 2024 a visitor Julian Navas found a 7.46 carat diamond in the park.

The park received more than 180,000 visitors in 2017, finding 450 valid diamonds from different colors. Of the reported diamond findings, 299 were white, 72 brown and 74 yellow.

Park staff told Miss that visitors find one or two diamonds daily, so “controls their expectations.” Most diamonds are almost the size of a paper paper, while a 1 -carat diamond is approximately the size of a green pea. But even small diamonds have the excitement of discovery. Park employees provide free identification services, check the findings in Loupes, and confirm whether this is quartz glass pebbles or something more valuable.

A family experience

For those who wish to join the thousands of people who visit every year, the park makes it affordable. Admission for adults is $ 15, $ 7 for children aged 6 to 12 years. You can camp in the park overnight and return to the ground at dawn. In the summer months, the park runs a small water park – acknowledging that diamond hunting in Arkansas can be brutal, with a heat index above 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sometimes the rain turns the field into flowers, which the experienced searchers prefer because it makes diamonds easier – but it can create a dirty adventure. As Miss stated, “most visitors with a handful of interesting stones, some new knowledge and urgent need for a long shower.”

If you didn’t find any diamonds in the park, don’t despair-you can potentially buy a $ 200,000 diamond device in Alibaba.

This story appeared first ARS Technica.