"Remember the time Mikey found that massive diamond at that park?"
That's how one North Carolina family is going to remember this summer.
Boy Scout Michael Detlaff, 12, was visiting an Arkansas park with his family on July 31 when he found a 5.16-carat "honey brown diamond" in the park's "diamond search area."
The park's response? "It is thrilling any time a child finds a diamond here."
The Arkansas' Crater of Diamond State Park is the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public and this is not the first time a diamond has been found, nor is it even close to the biggest diamond discovered at this awesome park.
Visitors can dig for diamonds in the park's 37.5-acre plowed field, which was originally a diamond mining site before it became a state park in 1972.
John Huddleston, the farmer who originally owned the property, is credited with starting the diamond mining rush when he first found diamonds in Murfreesboro.
The park's policy is finders keepers, which means Michael went home with his diamond, which he named "God's Glory Diamond."
Mining.com estimated his find to be worth between $12,000 and $15,000 after being cut and polished.
"Michael had only been searching for about 10 minutes when he found his diamond," said Park Interpreter Waymon Cox in a press release. "In fact, Michael's dad was renting mining equipment to begin his own diamond search when Michael showed the gem to him at the park's Diamond Discovery Center!"
Michael's find was the 12th diamond weighing over one carat found at the park this year, and the 27th largest diamond found since the opening of the park.
One thing we don't get -- how are there any diamonds left? Why hasn't it been mobbed with millions of tourists every day going over every grain of sand with a magnifying glass and blunt instruments to ward off any greedy fingers on their immediate territory?
More fun facts about the Crater of Diamonds park
* The three colors of diamonds found at the park are white, brown and yellow.
* 40 different types of rocks and minerals other than diamonds can also be found at the park. Other gems include amethyst, peridot and garnet.
* Old buildings dating back to the park's mining days still remain on the premises, such as the Mine Shaft Building and the Guard House.
* Due to recent heavy rains, many of the recent finds were right on the surface of the field.
* The park says two diamonds a day are found on average.
* The largest diamond ever found on site was a white diamond weighing 40.23 carats unearthed in 1984 during the park's mining days. It's the largest diamond found in North America to date.
* The largest diamond ever found by a park visitor was a 16.37-carat diamond.
* Hilary Clinton borrowed the 4.25-carat Kahn Canary diamond, also a park find, to represent Arkansas's diamond site at a gala celebrating her husband's inauguration.
* Michael's find is the 328th diamond found by a park visitor so far this year.
* Most diamonds found at the park are too small to be cut and are just kept as souvenirs
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Putin says Russia will use new missile again in ‘combat conditions’
29 mins -
We have rescued kidnapped Emirates Airlines Airport Services Manager – Police
51 mins -
Bawumia-branded campaign vehicle burns, occupants escape unscathed
1 hour -
Bawumia, thousands observe ‘Jummah’ prayers as new Walewale Central Mosque is commissioned
2 hours -
Peasant farmers hail Bawumia as Walewale Watermelon Factory is commissioned
2 hours -
Joy FM Prayer Summit for Peace ends in electrifying worship and prayer
9 hours -
The Conscience of Leadership: A call to President Akufo-Addo on Ghana’s environmental devastation
10 hours -
Ghanaian youth unaware of their right to hold politicians accountable – Youth Bridge Foundation
11 hours -
Judge delays Trump sentencing for a third time
11 hours -
2024 WAFCON: Ghana drawn against defending champions South Africa in Group C
11 hours -
Photos from DW-JoyNews street debate on ‘galamsey’
12 hours -
Mimmy Yeboah: Blending heritage with global sophistication, confidence redefined through couture
12 hours -
100 Most Influential People Awards 2024: Brain Hill International School’s Director Mary Anane Awuku honoured
13 hours -
Akufo-Addo commissions 97-km Tema-Mpakadan railway line
13 hours -
Majority requests recall of Parliament
13 hours