Digging for Diamonds
Ever wonder where treasure can be found in Arkansas? Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond-producing site in the world where the public can search for diamonds. And the policy here is "finders keepers." The diamonds you find are yours to keep.
Visitors search atop a 37-acre plowed field, the eroded surface of an ancient, gem-bearing volcanic pipe. Prospectors enter the field through the visitor center that offers exhibits and an A/V program explaining the area’s geology and history. Park staff provides free identification and certification of diamonds.
The first diamond was found here in 1906 by John Huddleston, the farmer who owned the property. The Crater of Diamonds has changed hands several times over the years and several unsuccessful attempts have been made at commercial mining. All such ventures are shrouded in mystery, and lawsuits, lack of money and fires are among the reasons suspected for these failures. The mine was operated privately, and later as a tourist attraction, from 1952 to 1972. In 1972, the State of Arkansas purchased the Crater of Diamonds for development as a state park. The park is open year-round except for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Pets are allowed at all facilities with the exception of the Diamond Springs Water Park and Kimberlite Caf�, as long as they remain on a leash under the owner's control at all times.
The park features a 37-acre field of diamond bearing soil plowed periodically when weather allows. These plowings are unscheduled. Historical structures, old mining equipment, washing pavilions, and sun shelters are located on the field. Diamond mining tools are available for rent or purchase. Diamonds and other minerals are identified at the Diamond Discovery Center.
Fees to search for Diamonds
| Adults: |
$7.00 |
| Children (ages 6-12): |
$4.00 |
| Children under 6 years old: |
FREE |
Admission is good for the entire day. Visitors may come and go throughout the day on the same admission fee.
Organized groups of 15 or more may receive half price admission if we are notified in advance of your visit. From Memorial Day through Labor Day tickets purchased after 6pm are also good for the following day.
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What Should I Bring?
Tools are not necessary for diamond searching. A good way to search for diamonds is to walk up and down the rows looking for diamonds lying on top of the ground. However, most visitors like to dig in the soil. Therefore, you have the options of bringing your own tools from home, or you may purchase or rent tools here.
You may use anything that does not have a battery, motor, or wheels on it for transporting equipment in and out of the search area. People bring anything from small flowerbed trowels to full size shovels. Some visitors choose to make their own sifting screens and bring them. It is your choice.
If you choose to get tools at the park, you can purchase small flowerbed trowels and cultivators in the gift shop. If you prefer renting tools, we have several different size shovels and screens for you to choose from. The most commonly rented items are listed below. Along with the rental fee, a deposit is charged on each item to make sure the visitor returns the equipment and that the equipment is returned in good condition. The deposit amount is refunded to the visitor when the tools are returned.
Rental equipment is available at the Diamond Discovery Center, and includes the items listed below.
Rental Equipment Available Year Round
| Equipment |
Daily rent plus tax |
Deposit |
| Small wooden box screen |
$2.50 |
$20.00 |
| 3.5 gallon plastic bucket |
$2.50 |
$10.00 |
| Folding army shovel |
$2.50 |
$10.00 |
| Knee Pads |
$2.50 |
$5.00 |
| Screen Set |
$3.50 |
$20.00 |
| Saruca (finishing screen) |
$3.50 |
$40.00 |
| Basic Diamond Hunting Kit |
$8.00 |
$35.00 |
| (folding shovel, screen set, 3.5 gallon bucket) |
| Advanced Diamond Hunting Kit |
$11.00 |
$60.00 |
(folding shovel, screen set, 3.5 gallon bucket, saruca)
(rental prices are per day and tax is not included) |
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What Should I Wear?
Digging for diamonds can be messy. If it is wet, you will need some old shoes or boots because the field will be very muddy. In the summer, a hat and sunscreen will be necessary to protect you from the sun.
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What Do Diamonds Look Like?
How do you know if you've found treasure in our Arkansas diamond mine? First study the basic attributes of diamonds found at the Crater:
Shape:
Diamonds found at the Crater are typically smooth and well rounded. Their shape resembles a polished stone with smooth sides and rounded edges.
Size:
The average size of a diamond is about the size of a paper match head, approximately 20 - 25 points. Points are an increment of measurement of diamonds. There are 100 points in a carat. Look for something small. A 1-carat diamond is about the size of a green pea.
Appearance:
Diamonds feel like they have an oily film on them. This characteristic prevents diamonds from being dirty. Diamonds have a metallic luster like new steel or lead. They will not be clear like glass. They do not have a solid dull look like the Jasper rocks. Diamonds are translucent. You can typically see into them but not through them.
Color:
The most common colors of diamonds are white, yellow and brown.
The park offers free rock and mineral identification at the Diamond Discovery Center. Diamonds are weighed and certified free of charge for the finder.
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What is a Carat?
A unit of weight for precious stones, equal to 200 milligrams. It is thought that the name carat was derived from the carob tree. Carob trees are native to the Old World (Asia, Africa, and Europe) and are known for its uniformly consistent small seeds. Gemstones, including diamonds were weighed for years against these seeds. A diamond that weighs 100 points would also be 1 carat. 1 carat is equal to 100 points. A diamond that is larger than one carat would be listed as a whole number plus the number of points it was. For example a diamond that was 1 carat and 25 points would be listed as 1.25 carats.
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How Do I Search for Diamonds?
How you search for diamonds usually depends on how much time you have to search or how hard you want to work.
There are three methods of diamond searching. Surface searching consists of walking up and down the rows of dirt looking for diamonds lying on top of the ground. This is the most productive method following a hard rain. Rain washes the soil away, leaving diamonds and other rocks and minerals exposed on the surface.
Most visitors like to dig in the soil and screen for diamonds. This usually involves searching through the first six inches to one foot of soil. Visitors can turn the soil over with a small hand tool while looking in the loose soil. Some visitors like to use a screen to sift the soil.
The third method of diamond hunting requires a lot of hard work, and previous experience is helpful. This method is usually preferred by the repeat or regular visitor, and involves digging deep holes, removing the right type soil, washing the soil in a series of screens and patiently hand sorting the concentrated gravels from the screens. Some searchers look for low areas in the field where diamonds may have settled out over the years, or for tailings from the earlier commercial mining plants of the 20's and 30's. Tailings are the waste gravel that went out of the plant. Over the years, these tailing piles were covered by topsoil. The experienced regular hunters look for the tiny gravel, dig it up and wash it again by hand, looking for the small diamonds.
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Are the Diamonds Valuable?
The park staff can identify diamonds, but are not trained nor have the equipment to assess the value of a diamond. The monetary value of a diamond rests in the possibility of the diamond being cut. Several large diamonds from the Crater have been cut into D Flawless stones, bringing top dollar. Should you find a large diamond that might be cut, the park staff can provide you with a list of diamond cutters.
Most diamonds found are generally too small to be cut. They will be valued souvenirs of your trip to the Crater. Diamonds are often mounted uncut in jewelry. One popular method of displaying a rough diamond is to have it mounted in a pendant and worn around the neck.
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