Individual discovers sugar-resembling diamond in exploration of Arkansas state park: "Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity"
David DeCook, a Minnesota farmer, recently made headlines for his unexpected win at Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park.
This small-town gem hunter found a mind-blowing 3.81-carat gem, making waves as the largest discovery of the year so far!
The park has been a treasure trove of glittering gems since its inception, with the legendary Uncle Sam Diamond, weighing in at a whopping 40.23 carats, being the crown jewel.
Amateur archeologist David DeCook can now claim his place in diamond hunting history after his recent dubious find.
DeCook, on a family trip, stumbled upon his new sparkling buddy while simply taking a stroll around the park. He initially mistook it for a candy wrapper based on its appearance.
The diamond has been named 'the Duke Diamond' after DeCook's loyal canine companion.
Turns out, he happened to strike gold (or should we say diamond) on an extremely wet day at the park! It seems a little heavenly rain never hurts when hunting for precious stones.
In fact, April has been a record-breaker at the park with over 12 inches of rain, according to park officials. More rain means more diamond discoveries!
The Duke Diamond is not the biggest diamond ever discovered at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, but it certainly is massive compared to the average find.
In 2024, a French visitor found a 7.46-carat brown diamond, which held the title of the largest diamond of the previous year. That stone was named after the visitor's fianceé.
Since 1906, an astounding 75,000 diamonds have been discovered at the park, with over 200 diamonds registered this year alone. Five of those discovered this year have exceeded the 1-carat mark, making 2025 a fertile year for diamond hunters.
So, next time you're planning a vacation, maybe consider swapping the beach for a diamond mine instead - who knows, you might become Arkansas' next best friend of diamonds!
The Duke Diamond, discovered by David DeCook, a Minnesota farmer, outshines the average finds at Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park, adding another significant gem to the park's impressive collection. In 2025, the park has already registered over 200 diamond discoveries, with five of them surpassing the 1-carat mark. The largest diamond of the previous year, a 7.46-carat brown diamond, was named after a French visitor's fiancée.
