According to Arkansas State Parks, Raynae Madison and her family stopped at the park on September 13, armed with sand sifters and a beach digging kit bought from a dollar store, the family began searching near the Prospector Trailhead in the 37.5-acre diamond search area.
It wasn’t long before Madison spotted an unusual shiny stone while sifting through the dirt. The gem was later confirmed to be a brown diamond — one of the larger finds at the park this year. Madison named it the “William Diamond” in honor of her nephew’s birthday celebration.
Park interpreter Emma O’Neal explained that brown diamonds from Crater of Diamonds are formed due to structural changes during their creation deep within the earth, which cause them to reflect red and green light, giving them their distinct hue.
While Arkansas State Parks does not provide appraisals or disclose the value of discovered gems, the find adds to the growing tally of 403 diamonds reported at the park in 2025 alone — four of which have weighed over two carats.
The Crater of Diamonds State Park, one of the only places in the world where the public can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source, continues to draw treasure hunters and families alike with the promise of rare and memorable discoveries.
