Mining for diamonds is often just a dream that you may have in your leisure time. You might think, ?How great it would be if I could mine a diamond to use in a ring for my true love.? That may not be possible, but if you travel to the state of Arkansas, you may just find a diamond that you actually mine yourself.
Open to the Public
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only site that produces diamonds that is open to the public in the world. There is a field of 37 acres where you are invited to dig and explore to your heart's content. It was 95 million years ago that a volcano here was situated and the pipe of the eroded site is where semi-precious stones along with diamonds were brought to the surface.
A Rainbow of Diamonds
The typical person does not realize that diamonds come in an array of colors. Here at Crater of Diamonds State Park you will be amazed at the wide spectrum of colors which diamonds can be found. Diamonds with hues of yellow, brown and white will twinkle their presence and will delight any rockhound worth their salt.
There are not only diamonds to be found at the park, but minerals and rocks such as peridot, jasper, banded agate, amethyst, quartz and garnet to name just a few of the treasures you may find when you visit this exciting place.
In the Past
It was a simple local farmer named John Huddleston who in 1906 found the first diamonds on his property in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. It was here that the diamond rush began and with ventures that were ill-fated, the site was later deeded to Arkansas and made a state park in 1972.
It's Not Just about Diamonds
Crater of Diamonds State Park is not just about diamonds. There are hundreds of acres that feature natural forests, a wide variety of fauna and flora along with animals that make the park their home. The park is unlike any other of its kind in the world and it is a real treat for all ages to search for a diamond that is considered ?finders keepers.? Whatever you find, no matter what the value, it is yours to keep forever. The friendly staff will help you to identify any of your finds and if you are really lucky, you will find a rare treasure that you can have set into a family heirloom.
Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend
Though the ladies have traditionally been the ones to most appreciate a sparkling diamond, at Crater of Diamonds State Park, young and old, male and female will get the fever of the beauty and rarity of a diamond. A diamond you unearth with your own two hands, no matter the size or value, will be much more precious to you than one you bought in a jewelry store.
So the next time you are in Arkansas, see if you are near this one of a kind park and try your hand at unearthing a diamond that may be in your family for many years to come.
Diamond Crater State Park
Could there actually be a much more exciting name for a tourist attraction than "Crater of Diamonds State Park"? It evokes visions of walls of rock from which there are diamonds the size of grapes just waiting to be plucked. In reality, this is the only diamond site in the world where you can pluck and keep whatever you find, and yes, that does include real diamonds. Anyone interested in gemology or that just wants to have an adventure with the family should not miss out on visiting the Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Located in the southern area of Murfreesboro, Arkansas, this land was originally a farm owned by a man named John Huddleston. He found the first diamond on the property way back in 1906. Over the years there were many attempts to turn the farm into a private mining facility, but finally in 1972 the state of Arkansas purchased the property and turned it into the Crater of Diamonds State Park. It is open to the public for tours or for the real reason many come to see it - mining for diamonds.
The park is about 37 acres large and is plowed regularly although not on a particular schedule. This plowing allows for new earth to be overturned so that more tourists can try their luck at finding real gemstones when visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park. It is also quite a historical attraction, with old structures, equipment, out of date diamond washing pavilions, and other features left intact.
If you do decide to visit Crater of Diamonds State Park, don't worry about what to bring. You can rent or purchase diamond mining tool there onsite. Of course, you can bring digging tools from home if you like; some tourists simply walk up and down the park, looking for diamonds while others prefer to dig. They also have what's called a Diamond Discovery Center to identify diamonds and other gemstones you may find without charge.
Your first question when considering whether or not to visit Crater of Diamonds State Park - if you're not out the door and on your way to Arkansas already - is whether or not the diamonds you find there are actually valuable. It's important to remember that a diamond is not truly valuable until it has been cut by a diamond cutter or jeweler; some diamonds are so small that they simply cannot be cut. There have been some larger diamonds found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park and were cut even up to D Flawless, some of the most valuable diamonds there are. However, most are just about the right size for a souvenir and can be mounted in jewelry on their own for a great keepsake.
It's important to remember that none of the staff at Crater of Diamonds State Park can cut a diamond or rate it for you; they can only certify that the stone actually is a diamond. So you may not get rich there, but it is a great place to visit and learn about diamond mining.
Both Adam Thompson & David Cowley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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