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Man Visits State Park And Finds 4.87-Carat Diamond

December 30, 2023

Today's good news story comes from Murfreesboro, Arkansas.

A man from Lepanto, Arkansas embarked on a springtime adventure with his girlfriend to the renowned Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. Departing with what he initially believed to be a mere shard of glass, it was later revealed to be a dazzling 4.87-carat diamond.

Jerry Evans / Credit: Arkansas.gov

Jerry Evans said he found the diamond within just 10 minutes of setting foot in the park. He initially believed to be a mere clear piece of glass atop a plowed ridge. Nonchalantly, he stashed the find in his pocket alongside other discoveries.

"I thought it might be a piece of glass, it was so clear. I really didn't know," Evans said. "We were picking up everything thinking it was a diamond."

Intrigued by the possibility, he decided to send the stone to the Gemological Institute of America for a professional evaluation. A few weeks later the verdict came back – the seemingly ordinary piece of glass was, in fact, a near-colorless diamond.

"Mr. Evans' diamond is spectacular to see," said Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox. "It's a complete crystal with a brilliant white color reminiscent of many other large, white diamonds I've seen from here in the past."

As of the latest count, 798 diamonds have been registered at Crater of Diamonds State Park in 2023, amassing over 125 carats collectively.