Article: Unexpected Discovery in an Arkansas Park: A Family Trip Turns into a Diamond Story
Unexpected Discovery in an Arkansas Park: A Family Trip Turns into a Diamond Story
What began as an ordinary winter family outing turned into an unforgettable experience for a Texas family after the father discovered a rare diamond at an Arkansas state park. The adventure began with the children’s curiosity and a simple search on a smartphone.
The discovery was announced by Arkansas State Parks, which reported that the diamond was found at Crater of Diamonds State Park. James Ward, a 41-year-old from Cypress, Texas, unearthed a 2.09-carat brown diamond on December 30.
Ward was visiting the park with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons, Adrian, 9, and Austin, 7. According to Elizabeth, the idea for the trip came from their youngest child.
“One day we were watching TV, and Austin came and said, ‘Mommy, Mommy, is there any place in Texas or nearby where we can mine for crystals?’”
The answer came quickly through a search using Siri, which led the family to the Arkansas park. Elizabeth Ward recalled the moment she shared the information with her husband:
“I sent the link to James, and he was like, ‘Oh, wait, that’s only like six hours away. We can go!’”
The diamond, later named the Ward Diamond, was found on the family’s second day of searching. The first day had been challenging because of the cold, but Adrian persuaded everyone to return.
“I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it was different from everything else I had found,” James Ward said of the discovery.
Waymon Cox, the park’s assistant superintendent, explained that the stone resembles a corn kernel in shape and has “a dark yellowish-brown hue and a beautiful, metallic luster [that’s] characteristic of all Crater diamonds.” He noted that such diamonds formed deep in Earth’s upper mantle and “were carried to the surface by an ancient volcanic pipe” millions of years ago.
“Most are chipped, broken, or include flaws from the immense geological forces they endured,” Cox added. “Given its current size, you can imagine how much bigger Mr. Ward’s diamond might have been as a complete crystal.”
For now, the diamond’s future remains uncertain. Ward says he is considering both selling it and keeping it.
“I’ll have to see how much it’s worth first,” he said.
He also encouraged other park visitors not to give up after their first attempts, a message echoed by his wife:
“Listen to your kids about their dreams and what they want to do!”
Arkansas State Parks told Fox News Digital that park employees “are not trained to grade or appraise diamonds or other rocks and minerals.”
“Our primary training involves properly identifying and registering diamonds for guests who find them,” an official explained, adding that anyone interested in having a diamond appraised should consult a certified gemologist.
Ward’s discovery adds to a growing list of notable gems found at the park. In September, a family from Oklahoma unearthed a 2.79-carat diamond, while in April, a visitor from Minnesota discovered a striking 3.81-carat brown diamond that he compared to a candy wrapper.
Cover Photo - AI Generated
