Arkansas's diamond site, the Crater of Diamonds State Park, is the eighth
largest diamond-bearing deposit in surface area in the world. Here you can enjoy
the one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure of prospecting for real diamonds. Located in
southwest Arkansas near Murfreesboro, this is the world's only diamond-bearing
site open to the public. Occurring naturally here along with the diamonds are
garnet, amethyst, jasper, agate, quartz, and other rocks and minerals that make
this site a rock-hound's delight. And what you unearth is yours to keep. You'll
search over a 37 1/2-acre plowed field, the eroded surface of the ancient
volcanic pipe that brought the gems to the surface.
This site became an Arkansas state park in 1972, and since then, park visitors
have unearthead 25,000 diamonds here. On average, two diamonds are found each
day. Diamonds come is all colors of the rainbow. The three colors most often
found at the Crater of Diamonds are white, brown and yellow, in that order. The
gem-quality diamonds that have come from this site include many notable
celebrity gems.
To access the diamond search area, you'll pass through the park visitor
center first, and then the park's new interpretive center that features engaging
exhibits introducing you to diamonds and the experience of diamond hunting.
In the visitor center, you'll learn about the geology of this site and why
diamonds are here. You'll view an engaging audiovisual program about diamonds
that introduces you to the Crater of Diamonds.
Then, you'll pass through the Diamond Discovery Center. Here you will learn
about diamonds and how to prospect for diamonds. You'll be introduced to notable
diamonds that have come from this site, and you'll learn about the park's most
well-known diamond prospectors in the diamond hunters' hall of fame. This is
where you'll rent digging tools and screens for your prospecting. And here is
where you will later return to have your material identified by park staff, and
certified in the case of diamond finds.
The first diamonds discovered here were unearthed in 1906 by John Huddleston,
the farmer who at that time owned this land. Since then, over 75,000 diamonds
have been unearthed here. Notable diamonds from the Crater of Diamonds include
the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam, [the largest diamond ever unearthed in the United
States]; the 16.37-carat Amarillo Starlight; the 15.33-carat Star of Arkansas
and the 3.03-carat Strawn-Wagner Diamond.
Arkansas's diamonds are known throughout the international diamond community
for their quality and hardness. The Strawn-Wagner Diamond is a perfect example
of this. Found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in 1990 by Shirley Strawn of
Murfreesboro, Arkansas, this diamond weighed 3.03 carats in the rough. In 1997,
the gem was sent to Lazare Kaplan International of New York for cutting. Lazare
Kaplan cut the gem to perfection into a 1.09-carat, round brilliant shape
diamond featuring an "Ideal Cut." This cut allows for the maximum amount of
light to be reflected from one facet to another and up through the top. In 1998,
the American Gem Society certified this diamond the perfect grade of O/O/O
(Ideal cut/D color/ Flawless). "Triple Zero" is the highest grade a diamond can
achieve. A diamond this perfect, and weighing over a carat after cutting, is
estimated to occur one time in a billion. Its occurrence is even more rare
coming from a non-commercial diamond mine. This splendid stone is on permanent
display in its special exhibit at the Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Park interpreters present a wide variety of programs about diamonds, the
geology of this gem-bearing diamond pipe, the park's history, and its diversity
of plant and animal species.
The park offers 59 campsites, picnic sites, a cafe, standard pavilion that
includes restrooms, laundry, gift shop, hiking trails, and interpretive programs
for park visitors.
The park's new interpretive facility, the Diamond Discovery Center, serves as
a gateway to the diamond search area and an in-depth introduction to the
adventure of searching for diamonds. Here you will learn about diamonds and how
to search for them. The exhibits include the diamond hunters’ hall of fame, and
feature information about the many notable diamonds that have been unearthed at
this site. Along with the exhibit gallery, the two level barrier-free building
features a refreshment facility, digging equipment rental and
restrooms/bathhouse/changing rooms, office. The upper level features a
1,600-square-foot classroom.
The park's mining-themed aquatic playground, Diamond Springs, is located
adjacent to the diamond search area. The main feature in the 14,700-square-foot
facility is a 4,166-square-foot wading pool, ranging in depth up to 3-feet, that
features aquatic playground equipment including spray geysers, sprayers, jets,
animated waterspouts, cascades, two water slides and waterfall hideaways. This
aquatic playground offers cool, play pool fun for visitors of all ages during
the summer months. The facility also includes a pool deck with three shaded
cabanas, and tables with umbrellas and lounge chairs. To see Diamond Springs, go
to: http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com/things-to-do/#Water
Crater of Diamonds State Park is open throughout the year. Hours of
operation, however, vary per park facility. For 2006, the hours for the diamond
search area are:
DIAMOND SEARCH AREA: OPEN ALL YEAR
January 1 - February 28: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily
March 1 - May 26: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
May 27 - August 21: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. daily
August 22 - November 30: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily
December 1 - 31: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily
For more details about Crater of Diamonds State Park, go to park's Web site
at: http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com/
Crater of Diamonds State Park is located two miles southeast of Murfreesboro
on Ark. 301.
Admission to Search Area/day: Adult - $6 each; Child (age 6 - 12) - $3
each
Group Rates (15 or more with advance notice) - 1/2 above fees
Diamond Springs
$5/person 42 inches in height and above; $3.50/person under 42 inches in height
Contact Information
209 State Park Road
Murfreesboro, AR 71958
GPS: 34° 1.9’ 58.6” N / 93° 40’ 4.5” W
Email: craterofdiamonds@arkansas.com
(870) 285-3113
www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com
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