Jerry Evans, an Arkansas man, discovered a 4.87-carat diamond, the largest in the state in nearly three years. According to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Evans discovered Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro.
Evans reportedly made the dazzling discovery ten minutes after he entered the park for the first time without even knowing. According to reports, Evans visited the park, renowned for its diamonds as the name suggests, with his girlfriend.
There, he picked up what he thought was a clear piece of glass from the top of a plowed ridge. Without giving it an extra thought, Evans put the precise piece of glass in his pocket with other things. “I thought it might be a piece of glass; it was so clear. I didn’t know,” Evans said. “We were picking up everything thinking it was a diamond.”
However, back home, Evans kept thinking about the “clear glass” and wondering if it could be more. After days of pondering, he eventually sent the stone to the Gemological Institute of America for identification.
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A few weeks later, Evans discovered his “clear piece of glass” was a near-colorless diamond. “When they called and told me it was real, I was tickled to death!” Evan said. The diamond, which he named after himself, “Evans Diamond,” is about the size of a jellybean.
Also, it reportedly has the shape of a pyramid. Upon his son’s encouragement, Evans contacted the Crater of Diamonds State Park to tell them about his find.
“While I get many emails from people wanting me to identify something they’ve found here, to my recollection, this is the first time someone has contacted me after they’ve had a diamond identified by the GIA,” Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox said in the news release.
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“I’m glad Mr. Evans brought his historic diamond back to the park to register it officially.” In addition, the state parks department said that Evans’ discovery is the “largest find” registered at the park since someone discovered a 9.07-carat brown diamond on Labor Day 2020.
“Mr. Evans’ diamond is spectacular to see,” said Cox. “It’s a complete crystal with a brilliant white color.” Cox added, “It’s reminiscent of many other large, white diamonds I’ve seen from here in the past.”
According to the state parks department, the Crater of Diamonds State Park has registered about 798 diamonds in 2023. These diamonds total more than 125 carats. Also, park visitors find an average of one to two diamonds daily.
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Consequently, visitors have discovered over 75,000 diamonds at the park since John Huddleston, a farmer, discovered the precious gems. Also, since the Crater of Diamonds became an Arkansas state park in 1972, visitors have found more than 35,000 diamonds.
In addition, it is the only place in the world where people can find diamonds in their original volcanic source. According to the park’s website, the diamond search area is a 37.5-acre field. Any rocks, minerals, or gemstones a visitor finds are theirs to keep.
Also, visitors can bring their mining equipment or rent tools from the park. However, the park prohibits battery-powered or motor-driven mining tools. Park staff also assist in identifying rocks, minerals, or gems found in the park.
While Evans’ diamond is the largest in nearly three years, such finds among visitors are expected.
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