2 Carat Diamond Found at Crater of Diamonds in Arkansas

A big 2-carat diamond was recently found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. This find is the second-largest diamond found this year and it was found when a father and son were out on a 'Boy's Trip'.

Will and Marshall Barnett, of Buckeye, Arizona, were on a trip together a couple of weeks ago to Arkansas and spent a day at the park.

On July 27 Will and Marshall were at the park early and once they had dug a few buckets of dirt they headed over to one of the wash pavilions to sift through their dirt.

According to a press release,  Park Interpreter Ashlyn Keys said,

Wet sifting is one of the most effective methods to search for diamonds.  The search area has two wash pavilions, with water troughs and tables, for visitors to wet sift. Using screens to separate dirt from the gravel allows you to go through more material in less time, giving a better chance of finding a diamond.

And that is exactly what happened. They came across something glimmering at the bottom of their wet sifting screen. By early afternoon it was confirmed it was a big diamond.

Park Superintendent Caleb Howell said,

While examining the diamond, I looked out the office window and asked Mrs. Keys who the finders were, then said, ‘Wait, let me guess: they’re the ones shaking with excitement!'”

When diamonds are found at Crater of Diamonds State Park the finder gets to name their diamond for the books. This 2-carat diamond will be called  'Minor Find' because Will the father calls his son a “minor-miner.”

This is the 412th diamond registered at the park this year and the second largest of the year so far.

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