Tourist recently found a gem worth thousands of dollars

Tourist recently found a gem worth thousands of dollars

 The only public park in the world: Visitors can dig for and own diamonds

A unique park in the United States is the only place in the world where visitors can dig for real diamonds and own their finds. A tourist recently found a gem worth thousands of dollars.

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, sits atop a volcanic crater. Thousands of treasure hunters flock there each year with one goal: to win the grand prize. Since becoming a state park in 1972, this 37.5-acre park has become a must-see destination for visitors from all over the world, with up to 35,000 diamonds found to date.

In April, David Decock of Stewartville, Minnesota, was visiting the park with his family when he saw what he thought was a candy wrapper glistening in the sun. Upon closer examination, it was revealed to be a 3.81-carat brown diamond valued at thousands of dollars.

The park's Facebook page, "Diamonds in Arkansas," wrote at the time: "David Decock of Minnesota recorded this massive octagonal brown diamond, weighing 3.81 carats, found on the surface of the Arkansas Diamond Pit State Park." Diamonds found in the park are typically white, yellow, or brown. However, diamonds are not the only ones found in the area; the area is also rich in other minerals, including garnet.

Visitors can bring their own equipment or rent equipment on-site. There are three main methods for searching for diamonds: surface searching, which involves walking through the fields; wet sifting, which uses water to separate stones from the soil; and dry sifting, which uses no water.

The park also houses a diamond discovery center and a visitor center where visitors can learn about the area's geology and request that their finds be identified and recorded by park staff. If a visitor finds a diamond, staff will inspect, weigh, and issue a certificate of quality for free, according to The Sun.

While the diamond field is the main attraction, Crater of Diamonds State Park also offers walking trails, picnic areas, a campground, a fishing lake, and a mining-themed water park called Diamond Springs. Admission to the diamond-hunting area is $15 for adults and $7 for children. Water park admission is $10-$12. The park is located near Murfreesboro, a small town with a population of just over 1,600.

The nearest major city is Texarkana, which straddles the Texas-Arkansas border and is known for its musical history and unique federal courthouse that spans two states. Just six miles from the park, Lake Grayson offers additional outdoor recreational activities, including boating, hiking, and fishing.

In August 2024, an Arizona father and son found a two-carat diamond while visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. Will Barnett and his son, Marshall, made the discovery on July 27 after his uncle encouraged them to visit the site.