Family Discovers 2.79-Carat Diamond at State Park Using Dollar Store Tools
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A family visiting the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas made an astonishing discovery of a 2.79-carat diamond. Raynae Madison, from Cookson, Oklahoma, along with her family, embarked on a trip to the park on September 13. Little did they know that their visit would lead to an incredible find.
The family, who were at the park to celebrate a nephew’s birthday, brought along basic tools purchased from a dollar store, including a beach digging kit and sand sifting tools. Making their way to the north side of the park’s 37.5-acre diamond search area near the Prospector Trailhead, they began their digging expedition.
While digging through the dirt and sifting through buckets, Raynae Madison noticed a shiny oblong stone. Initially, she was uncertain about what it could be, considering it to be too large to be a diamond. The family then took their discovery to the Diamond Discovery Center at the park for identification.
To their amazement, the stone was confirmed to be a 2.79-carat chocolate brown diamond. Overwhelmed by the find, Madison decided to name the diamond the William Diamond in honour of her nephew. This remarkable discovery adds to the list of impressive finds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Arkansas State Parks reported that the William Diamond is the third-largest diamond registered at the park this year, surpassing a 2.3-carat diamond found just a couple of months earlier. Micherre Fox, another visitor to the park, found the 2.3-carat diamond in July and named it the Fox-Ballou Diamond, after her and her partner’s last names.
In 2025 alone, the Crater of Diamonds State Park has seen a total of 403 registered diamonds, making it a fruitful year for diamond discoveries. With four diamonds weighing over two carats uncovered so far, Emma O’Neal, park interpreter at Crater of Diamonds, expressed excitement about the significant finds this year.
The park holds a special place for gem enthusiasts and visitors alike, offering them the unique opportunity to search for diamonds and keep whatever they find. The Madison family’s extraordinary find serves as a reminder of the hidden treasures waiting to be unearthed at the Crater of Diamonds State Park.
As news of the 2.79-carat diamond discovery spreads, it sparks interest and excitement among those planning their visits to the park. The story of the Madison family’s unexpected find serves as a testament to the park’s charm and allure, drawing in visitors from near and far in search of their own sparkling treasures.
In a world full of uncertainties, the discovery of the William Diamond brings a sense of wonder and joy, showcasing the beauty of nature’s creations waiting to be discovered. As visitors continue to explore the diamond-rich grounds of the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the possibility of finding a valuable gem remains a thrilling adventure for all who tread its paths.