Do You Know Why Arkansas Is the Only Place Where You Can Mine and Keep Real Diamonds

Most people think you need expensive equipment or permission from a mining company to search for diamonds. But in the U.S. state of Arkansas, there’s a real diamond mine that is open to the public — and you can actually keep any diamond you find! It’s called the Crater of Diamonds State Park, and it’s the only place in the world where ordinary visitors can pay a small entry fee, dig in the soil, and walk away with real, natural diamonds.

Many people visit this park every year — including tourists, families, students, and treasure hunters. Over 35,000 diamonds have been found here since it became a state park. Some of them were worth tens of thousands of dollars. But why does this place exist? And how did it become a diamond field open to the public?

Let’s dig into the fascinating story of America’s only public diamond mine.

1. What is the Crater of Diamonds State Park?

Crater of Diamonds State Park is a 911-acre park located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, USA. The main attraction is a 37.5-acre diamond search area, which is the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic crater. Diamonds were formed deep in the earth and came up during volcanic eruptions about 100 million years ago.

2. Only Place in the World Where Anyone Can Keep What They Find

Unlike professional mines that restrict the public, Crater of Diamonds allows anyone to look for diamonds using simple tools — buckets, shovels, or even just hands. Visitors pay an entry fee (around $15 per adult), and whatever you find — you keep! This “finders keepers” policy is unique in the entire world.

3. How Were Diamonds Discovered Here?

In 1906, a farmer named John Huddleston found the first diamonds on his land. Word spread quickly, and the area became crowded with prospectors. Eventually, the land was sold to different mining interests but wasn’t hugely profitable. The state of Arkansas later bought the land and turned it into a public park in 1972.

4. Diamonds Still Found Every Week

On average, visitors find between 500 to 600 diamonds per year at the park — that’s about 1 or 2 diamonds every day! Most are small, but sometimes large ones are found. Many are white, brown, or yellow in color.

5. Famous Diamonds Found at the Park

Some legendary discoveries include:

• The Uncle Sam Diamond (1924) – 40.23 carats (largest ever found in the USA!)

• The Amarillo Starlight – 16.37 carats, worth up to $150,000

• The Strawn-Wagner Diamond (1990) – 3.03 carats, later cut into a flawless gem (Grade 1/1/1)

• 2020 find: A visitor found a 9.07-carat brown diamond

6. What Tools Can You Use?

Visitors bring sifters, buckets, shovels, and screens. Some people simply walk the surface and spot diamonds lying on the ground, especially after rain. The park rents tools too, and there’s a washing station where people can rinse soil and look for gems.

7. Why Do Diamonds Keep Appearing?

The park tills (plows) the field regularly to bring diamonds closer to the surface. Rain helps wash off soil and reveal shiny pieces. Diamonds are heavy, so they often stay in place. Nature keeps resurfacing them!

8. Not Just Diamonds – Other Gems Too

Besides diamonds, people have found:

• Garnets

• Quartz crystals

• Amethyst

• Jasper

• Agate

  
  It’s like a natural treasure hunt.

9. Diamond Identification Center (Free Service)

After collecting stones, visitors can take them to the park’s Diamond Discovery Center, where trained staff examine and confirm if the finds are diamonds or other minerals — totally free.

10. Education & Family Tourism

The park has become a major tourist attraction. Schools bring students. Families come for vacations. Park guides teach how diamonds form, how to identify them, and how to search. It’s a fun mix of adventure and science.

FAQs

Q1: Can anyone really keep the diamonds they find?
Yes — the rule is “finders keepers,” no matter how valuable the diamond is.

Q2: How much does it cost to enter?
Entry is usually around $15 per adult and $7 per child (prices vary slightly). Tool rental costs extra.

Q3: What are the chances of finding a diamond?
Roughly 1–2 diamonds are found each day by visitors. It depends on luck and effort — but people genuinely find diamonds regularly.

Q4: Are diamonds here real and valuable?
Absolutely. They are natural diamonds. Some have been worth thousands of dollars depending on color, clarity, and size.

Q5: Where is the park located exactly?
Crater of Diamonds State Park is in Murfreesboro, Arkansas — around 2 hours west of Little Rock, Arkansas, in the USA.

Conclusion

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is a one-of-a-kind place where nature, adventure, and opportunity meet. It proves that you don’t have to be a billionaire miner to discover diamonds — curiosity and a small entry ticket are enough. Whether you find a tiny gem or a once-in-a-lifetime treasure, the excitement of searching itself is unforgettable.

In a world where most natural resources are controlled and commercialized, this park remains a rare symbol of public access and geological wonder. That’s why Arkansas truly remains the only place in the world where you can mine for real diamonds — and take them home.

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