A volcano extinguished in Arkansas hosts the only public diamond mine on earth

The park provides two covered pavilions with hollows of water and tables for damp sieving, as well as open lock boxes with water pumps in hand at both ends of the field. Four shaded structures are available in the research area; However, visitors are also welcome to bring their own awnings or tents, provided they are well guaranteed.
The diamonds were formed under extreme pressure and heat in the depths of the earthly mantle. If you find one, it will most likely look like a metallic or glassy pebble rather than a sparkling jewel that you might imagine in your mind. The volcanic soil also contains amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate and various types of quartz (and you can also keep them).
The largest diamond found in the United States came from this area – the uncle of 40.23 carats Sam Diamond, discovered in 1924 before the land became a state park. In September 2021, California visitor Noreen Wredberg found a 4.38 carat yellow diamond after looking for two hours, and in 2024, a visitor named Julien Navas found a diamond of 7.46 carats in the park.
The park received more than 180,000 visitors in 2017, which found 450 certified diamonds of different colors. Among the discoveries of diamonds reported, 299 were white, 72 were brown and 74 were yellow.
Park staff told Mays that visitors found one or two diamonds a day, so “keep your expectations in check,” she wrote. Most of the diamonds discovered are roughly the size of a paper correspondence, while a diamond at a carat has roughly the size of a green pea. But even the tiny diamonds carry the thrill of the discovery. Park staff provide free identification services, examining the discoveries under magnifying glass and confirming whether this glassy roller is in quartz or something more precious.
Family experience
For those who wish to join the thousands of people who visit each year, the park makes it affordable. Admission costs $ 15 for adults, $ 7 for children aged 6 to 12. You can camp during the night at the park and return to the field in Dawn. During the summer months, the park operates a small water park – a recognition that diamond hunting in Arkansas can be brutal, with a heat index exceeding 110 ° Fahrenheit.
Sometimes the rain turns the field into mud, which experienced researchers prefer because it makes diamonds easier to spot, but it can make a disorderly adventure. As Mays said, “most visitors leave with a handful of interesting rocks, new knowledge and an urgent need for a long shower”.
If you can’t find any diamonds in the park, do not despair – you could always buy a diamond machine of $ 200,000 on Alibaba.


