Brief
Arkansas hobbyist livestreams discovery of 6‑carat diamond worth up to $1 million
Pearadin’s find is the largest diamond uncovered at the park this year and may fetch a six‑figure price.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Jack Pearadin, a Navy reservist who has hunted for gems at Arkansas’s Crater of Diamonds State Park since 2013, livestreamed the discovery of a 6.03‑carat diamond on TikTok earlier this year, the Independent reported.
What happened
While shovelling a field at the park, Pearadin and a friend unearthed a six‑carat stone that he says is the largest diamond found at the site in 2024. After rinsing gravel from a bucket, he flipped the pile onto a table, revealing the faceted gem and exclaiming, “Oh my God! Oh my God! Holy crap, we got a big one!”
What the reports add
The Independent notes that an experienced appraiser told the Associated Press the stone could be worth up to $1 million, though another appraiser estimated a more modest $250,000 value for a high‑quality six‑carat yellow diamond. The park, which opened to the public in 1972, has yielded more than 37,000 diamonds, most under a quarter of a carat, according to park interpreter Sarah Bivens. The largest find ever at the park was the 40.23‑carat “Uncle Sam” discovered in 1924.
What was said
Pearadin told the Associated Press, “I love it that much,” about his hobby and his move to nearby Murfreesboro to be closer to the park. Certified gem appraiser Laura Stanley of Little Rock said a typical 0.17‑carat diamond from the park sells for around $700, while a high‑quality six‑carat yellow diamond can fetch about $250,000.
How it came about
Pearadin, originally from Missouri, has been digging at Crater of Diamonds for more than a dozen years, amassing over 300 gems. The park charges a $15 entry fee for a five‑gallon bucket of rocks, and visitors may keep any gemstones they find. The site is one of only two known primary diamond deposits in the United States, the other being Colorado’s Kelsey Lake.
Key facts
- Jack Pearadin discovered a 6.03‑carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park. (independent.co.uk)
- Pearadin claimed the stone could be worth up to $1 million. (independent.co.uk)
- An experienced appraiser suggested a value of about $250,000 for a diamond of that size. (independent.co.uk)
- The park has yielded more than 37,000 diamonds since 1972, most under a quarter‑carat. (independent.co.uk)
- The park’s largest historic find, ‘Uncle Sam,’ weighed 40.23 carats in 1924. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Arkansas gem hunter says he found what may be a $1 million diamond”
