Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, is the planet’s lone diamond mine to provide public access to search and keep diamonds discovered in its 37.5-acre turned-over field. The park, established as a state park in 1972, has since been a go-to venue for adventure lovers and gem hunters, with over 35,000 diamonds discovered to date, according to the official Arkansas State Parks website
Its attractiveness is further boosted by its “finders keepers” policy which has attracted visitors from all over the world, tested by recent discoveries and tourist reports.
The Duke Diamond: A 2025 Highlight
David DeCook, a frequent traveler to Stewartville, Minnesota, hit paydirt on April 21, 2025. On a walk with his brother Derek, DeCook noticed something shiny close to the south wash pavilion, which at first he believed to be a piece of candy wrapper because of its metallic appearance. Walking over to it, he was sure it was a 3.81-carat brown diamond and nicknamed it “The Duke Diamond” after his dog. This discovery, reported in an Arkansas State Parks press release, is the biggest in park history through 2025, eclipsing previous discoveries and showing the park’s continued potential for major finds.
DeCook’s personal experience proves the park’s accessibility since the diamond was discovered within an hour of scouring, demonstrating that observation mixed with a bit of luck can be this successful. His brother Derek, who also visits often, has documented several diamonds, which is proof of the park’s popularity among frequent treasure hunters.
Historical Significance and Statistics
History of the park with diamonds begins in 1906 when John Huddleston originally discovered diamonds on his farm, but the park was a state park by 1972, which legalized public entry. More than 35,000 diamonds have been discovered since then, a fact supported by multiple sources, including Wikipedia and official park sites. Some of the world’s most famous discoveries have been the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam diamond unearthed in 1924, the largest to date in the United States, and the Strawn-Wagner Diamond, a 3.03-carat gem unearthed in 1990, that was considered perfect by the American Gem Society, according to park historical records.
In recent history, there has been non-stop activity with 220 diamonds in 2025 alone weighing more than 32 carats, and five over one carat, according to park updates. This recurring yield keeps the park as an active target for diamond prospecting, with aspects such as post-rain searches improving visibility, as attested in visitor testimony.
Techniques and Tips for Diamond Hunting
For new hunters, the park offers a variety of means to maximize the potential for success. Surface search involves searching for diamonds in tilled rows exposed by rain or natural weathering, while wet sifting uses water to flush dirt through screens, allowing heavier gems like diamonds to be exposed. Park rangers offer identification services free of charge at the Diamond Discovery Center, confirming finds and allowing visitors to use tools like shovels, buckets, and sieves, or bring their own, as outlined on the park’s digging for diamonds website.
Professional guidance from frequent visitors such as David Anderson, who has discovered more than 400 diamonds, including a 3.29-carat brown diamond in 2023, demonstrates technique and patience. Murfreesboro resident Anderson suggests wet-sifting, especially at places such as the West Drain, and advises pursuing rain because water cleanses diamonds, which makes them easier to spot
Notable Finds and Visitor Experiences
Besides DeCook’s discovery, the park has a history of incredible findings. The Uncle Sam diamond, which was found in 1924, remains a gold standard, while recent finds like Julien Navas’s 7.46-carat diamond in January 2024, uncovered during a visit by a Frenchman, reflect global appeal Navas’s find, realized after digging for hours in mud, reflects the park’s popularity worldwide among visitors.
Among its other discoveries, it is also noteworthy that it discovered a white diamond weighing 2.30 carats in September 2024, which the prospectors initially believed was a bug, illustrating the cunning of diamond prospecting. All these, along with the park’s learning activities and amenities like camping and hiking, constitute a whole package for tourists, as uploaded in the park’s home page.
Park Amenities and Future Prospects
Crater of Diamonds State Park goes beyond diamond hunting, with camping, trails, and interpretive programming that explores the site’s geology and history. Untrimmed diamond and mining process displays are offered in the park visitor center, an added educational dividend. Officials attribute bumping up visitation to through June 2025 after DeCook’s discovery, with plans to add more guided tours and workshops to sustain the diamond-hunting activity.
With over 35,000 diamonds found since 1972, the park still offers a chance for anyone to become wealthy. A seasoned rockhound or curious visitor, the thrill of finding something is there, with the next big find only a shovel swing away.
Table: Recent Notable Diamond Finds at Crater of Diamonds State Park
| Date | Finder | Diamond Name | Carat Weight | Color | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 21, 2025 | David DeCook | The Duke Diamond | 3.81 | Brown | Largest of 2025, found near south wash pavilion |
| January 11, 2024 | Julien Navas | – | 7.46 | – | Eighth-largest since 1972, found by French visitor |
| September 27, 2024 | Anonymous | – | 2.30 | White | Found after rain, initially mistaken for a bug |
| March 4, 2023 | David Anderson | – | 3.29 | Brown | Found by wet-sifting, part of over 400 finds |
Conclusion
Crater of Diamonds State Park continues to symbolize the excitement of diamond hunting, and David DeCook’s discovery of a 3.81-carat gem in 2025 keeps its tradition going. More than 35,000 diamonds have been discovered since 1972, and the park is still an adventure, learning experience, and maybe a fortune, for anyone who wants to take their chances at the center of Arkansas.”.
