Posted on 11/05/2020 12:12:40 PM PST by Red Badger
This 9-carat diamond is the second-largest found at Arkansas's Crater of Diamonds State Park, since the park was established in 1972. (Photo: Crater of Diamonds State Park)
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A 33-year-old Maumelle, Arkansas man, who’s been visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park since a second-grade field trip, has found the second-largest diamond ever discovered there.
According to a report by KATV ABC 7, on Labor Day, Kevin Kinard and friends hauled sifting equipment to the state park located in Murfreesboro. Although he’s been visiting the park regularly since his initial visit decades before, Kinard said he had never found a diamond, until Sept. 7.
The Crater of Diamonds State Park website, describes the 911 acre state park as the only diamond-bearing site in the world that is open to the public. It features a 37.5-acre plowed field, “the eroded surface of a volcanic crater,” where visitors search for a “variety of rocks, minerals, and gemstones - and any rock or mineral you find is yours to keep.”
“I only wet sifted for about ten minutes before I started walking up and down the plowed rows,” Kinard said. “Anything that looked like a crystal, I picked it up and put it in my bag,” the KATV report quoted.
According to the report, during his search in the southeast portion of the diamond search area, Kinard found a “marble-sized crystal that had a rounded, dimpled shape,” park staff said.
“It kind of looked interesting and shiny, so I put it in my bag and kept searching,” Kinard said. “I just thought it might’ve been glass,” the report quoted.
The report said that following several hours of searching, when Kinard and his friends had their crystals checked by park staff, “an employee reportedly set the glass-like find aside for closer examination.” Minutes later, park managers revealed to Kinard that he had discovered a 9.07-carat diamond.
“I honestly teared up when they told me,” Kinard said. “I was in complete shock,” the report quoted.
Assistant Superintendent Dru Edmonds said that “perfect conditions” were a factor in Kinard finding his diamond.
“Park staff plowed the search area on August 20, just a few days before Tropical Storm Laura dropped more than two inches of rain in the park,” Edmonds said. “The sun was out when Mr. Kinard visited, and he walked just the right path to notice the sunlight reflecting off his diamond,” the report quoted.
Since the park was established in 1972, Kinard’s diamond is the second-largest found there. In August 1975, a 16.37-carat white Amarillo Starlight was discovered, the report said.
The report noted that park employees said finders often name their gems. Kinard chose to name his the ‘Kinard Friendship Diamond.’
“We love to travel together and had such a great time out here,” Kinard said. “It was a very humbling experience,” the report quoted.
Looks like someone is planning a vacation. 8>)
That’s pretty neat! I went there with my family in the early to mid 70s. It was a fun day of exploring but I think we didn’t find anything in particular.
Diamond?
Looks like a lumpy turd to me. And i have seen many.
Not sure what girl would agree to wear that. Maybe an AntifaTranny?
Hunter’s baby momma drop it ??
De Beers is on the phone to the Arkanside hotline right now.
They’re all lumpy turds until somebody carves them.
Me!
Stupid to show it to the world. Expect the State and Fed tax collectors on your doorstep any second.
Placing an order?..................
The park is the state..................
Not to worry, it’ll buff right out!.................
My neighbor went there a few years back.
Didn’t find anything..................
Should’ve kept his mouth shut.
In Idar-Oberstein, Germany there is an old diamond mine that goes back to medieval times; the public was allowed to go in and hunt for diamonds. That was 30 years ago, though.
It may not be worth that much in cash, but it is certainly worth something to be able to say that you found it!
Did he sometime later drive back home in a new F350 King Ranch pulling a 22 ft bass boat with a 225 hp Merc hanging off back?
I would be!...............
“My neighbor went there a few years back.
Didn’t find anything..................”
But did he LOSE anything?
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