Texas Family Unearths Rare 2.09-Carat Diamond at Arkansas State Park
PIKE COUNTY, Ark. — During a winter family trip fueled by a child’s curiosity, a Texas father uncovered a rare 2.09-carat brown diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, one of the few places in the world where visitors can dig for real diamonds and keep what they find. James Ward, 41, from Cypress, Texas, was visiting the park with his wife Elizabeth and their two sons, Adrian, 9, and Austin, 7, when the unexpected treasure emerged from the Arkansas soil on December 30.
The journey to the discovery began with Austin’s simple question about mining crystals near their home. Elizabeth Ward recalled, “One day we were watching TV, and Austin came and said, ‘Mommy, Mommy, is there any place in Texas or nearby that we can mine for crystals?’” A quick search on Siri led them to Crater of Diamonds State Park, located about six hours away. “I sent the link to James, and he’s like, ‘Oh wait, that’s only like six hours away. We can go!’” she said.
The family’s first day at the park was long and cold, and though they didn’t find any diamonds, 9-year-old Adrian encouraged them to return. Their persistence paid off the next day when James Ward spotted a gem unlike any other. “I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it was different than everything else I had found,” Ward said.
Waymon Cox, assistant superintendent of the park, described the find as having a “dark yellowish-brown hue and a beautiful, metallic luster characteristic of all Crater diamonds.” The diamond, now named the Ward Diamond, is roughly the size of a corn kernel and is a testament to the unique geology of the region. Crater diamonds form deep in Earth’s upper mantle and are brought to the surface by an ancient volcanic pipe millions of years ago, according to Cox. “Most are chipped, broken or include flaws from the immense geological forces they endured,” he explained. “Given its current size, you can imagine how much bigger Mr. Ward’s diamond might have been as a complete crystal.”
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only public diamond-bearing site in the world where visitors can search for diamonds and keep their finds, making it a popular destination for families and rockhounds alike. The park is managed by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism and offers a hands-on experience for those interested in geology and gemology.
As for what lies ahead for the Ward Diamond, James Ward remains undecided. “I’ll have to see how much it’s worth first,” he said, leaving open the possibility of selling or keeping the precious stone. His advice to other visitors is to remain patient and persistent. “Don’t give up on your first day of digging,” he encouraged.
The discovery highlights the unique allure of Crater of Diamonds State Park, where visitors can connect with natural history and perhaps stumble upon their own extraordinary find. For those interested in exploring the park or learning more about diamond geology, resources are available through the National Park Service and the Geology.com educational site.
This remarkable find by the Ward family underscores how a child’s curiosity, a bit of technology, and a spirit of adventure can lead to unforgettable moments and rare treasures hidden in plain sight.
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