Visitor finds 3.29-carat gem at Crater of Diamonds State Park

Murfreesboro, Ark. — An Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park visitor hit a major treasure during a dig on March 4.

Murfreesboro resident David Anderson, a regular park visitor, discovered the 3.29-carat brown diamond while sifting gravel. The site was in the West Drain of the park’s 37.5-acre diamond discovery area.

Anderson initially mistook the diamond.

“At first I thought it was quartz, but wondered why it was so shiny,” he said. “Once I picked it up, I realized it was a diamond!”

A spokeswoman for the park said Anderson has found more than 400 diamonds at the park over the past 16 years, adding that 15 of the diamonds he recovered are over one carat.

Prospectors often name their diamonds, and Anderson was no different. He named the diamond “Bud” for “Big Ugly Diamond”, noting the gem’s mottled brown color and pitted surface.

Andersen’s diamond is the largest gem park employees have registered since September 2021, officials said. Then a visitor to Granite Bay, California, discovered the 4.38-carat yellow diamond.

The 9.07-carat gem found on Labor Day 2020 is the largest brown diamond found at Anderson Park since the Kinard Friendship Diamond. The Kinnard Friendship Diamond was discovered by Kevin Kinnard of Maumeley and is the second largest diamond found in the park.

Officials said 124 diamonds have been found in the park so far this year. An average of two diamonds are found daily by visitors to the park.