As rare as the diamonds that lie beneath its surface, Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is the world’s only public diamond mine.
MURFREESBORO, Ark. — Diamonds are rare and last forever, but less than a two-hour drive from Little Rock lies Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro.
The state park’s main attraction is the diamonds, which have been drawing people from all over the world for over 50 years.
“There’s no other place you can go diamond hunting,” said Caleb Howell, manager of Crate of Diamonds State Park. “This is the only diamond mine, or diamond bed, where diamonds naturally occur, so people can come here and hunt for diamonds and find their own diamond.”
Crater of Diamonds State Park is as unusual as the gems that lie beneath its surface.
Although it’s a busy job, Howell said it’s rewarding because he sees himself as an ambassador for people around the world.
“What I love most about it is the diversity of the people who come here,” Powell said, “and just hearing their stories makes a really special connection.”
Crater of Diamonds attracts an estimated 150,000 to 170,000 visitors annually, and each time he visits, Powell has a memorable story to tell.
“There was a husband whose wife lost her wedding ring, so he made it his mission to create a ring for her,” Powell said. “He found the yellow diamond he was looking for, and now she has a new wedding ring.”
Powell told stories of people who have inherited Arkansas diamonds in their family wills, and who hold on to them not just because of the rarity of the diamonds themselves, but because of the story of how they came to be.
“There’s a good chance you’re the first person to see a diamond here,” Powell said.
Sarah Leape, park interpreter, and Waymon Cox, assistant state park superintendent, both claim that the state park is unique.
“As you enter the search area there is a sign that says you are becoming part of history,” Reape said. “And that is a true statement.”
Cox said the park itself is iconic.
“This is the only place in North America, maybe the world, where anyone can come and find their own diamonds and bring them back in their volcanic form,” Cox said. “There’s a lot of different events and levels of history going on here all the time.”
The important history that led to the creation of the state park began in the early 1900s.
“People knew there was a strange kind of soil here and speculated that there might be diamonds in there,” Leape said.
Geologists came to Murfreesboro because its soil resembled the diamond-bearing soils of South Africa.
Nothing came of their visit, but the next big change came in 1906.
“John Huddleston, a hog farmer who owned the property, discovered the diamond on his property and actually had it appraised,” Leape said.
The discovery sparked a diamond boom similar to the Gold Rush, Leape said.
“For about 50 years, this area was commercially mined by different parties,” Leap said. “Different people owned different pieces of land.”
Over the next few years, the various portions had to be sold off square feet—no easy feat, as the diamond-producing portion alone covered 37.5 acres.
But it marked a turning point that brought the park closer to being created.
“In 1972, the state bought it from someone who was trying to mine it commercially,” Reap said. “The state of Arkansas bought it and opened it to the public forever.”
Crater of Diamonds State Park has been in existence for 52 years and over 35,000 diamonds have been discovered there.
In addition to the history of the people who helped make the state park a reality, the money-making engine comes from the more than 30 acres of Lampreut soil that the park is based on.
Lamproite is lava that erupted from volcanoes in the region billions of years ago.
Powell said some Arkansans know nothing about Crater of Diamonds State Park and have no idea there was once a volcano where it is today.
Cox said that’s why the state park got its name and why half of the crater is now filled with diamonds.
“The entire crater covers over 80 acres, but the diamond-bearing area is only 37.5 acres,” Cox said. “Most geologists believe that the first eruption of this conduit was the largest and most prolific.”
Cox explained that the lava and ash that fell into the crater carried diamonds, and the search area now contains diamonds.
The lamprite soil has produced historic diamonds, including the largest diamond ever found within the park.
“The Uncle Sam diamond is the largest diamond ever found in North America,” Leap said. “Uncle Sam was over 40 carats.”
As with other significant diamonds in the park, a commemorative shovel marks its location so visitors can see it.
Another iconic gem is the Esperanza diamond, a nearly nine-carat diamond that was personally inspected by Powell and Cox.
“When Waymon Cox handed me the diamond, I couldn’t believe it. It was a beautiful white diamond,” Powell said. “I had to take six pictures to get the whole diamond under the microscope.”
Most of the diamonds found are only a fraction of the size of Esperanza.
But Powell said people still ask about the best way to ensure a successful excavation.
The good news is that the park will till the soil, which will get half the job done, but Powell said plowing and rain create the most wonderful conditions.
Powell also advised visitors to keep an eye on the website to find out about the diamond mining process that can help them make their digs. Most importantly, he said, keep in mind the seasons as Arkansas and the diamond mining region get hot and humid during the summer months.
While not everyone can find and bring home diamonds, Powell said an average of 700 to 800 diamonds are found in the park each year.
“It’s better than the lottery, but it’s still not the best,” Powell said. “Come for the adventure. That’s what this event is about.”
The excitement around the park is summed up in the rarity of Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Cox encouraged everyone to come to the park and dig to find a diamond – or rather a memory – that will last forever.
“Anyone can go to the lakes and the mountains, but there’s only one diamond mine, and it’s right here in Arkansas,” Cox said.
The state park is open daily from 8am to 5pm, with the diamond hunting area closing at 4pm.
How much does it cost to find a diamond?
Adults: $15 Children 6-12: $7 Children under 6 dig for free
For more information on Crater of Diamonds State Park, click here.
