Amateur Gem Hunter Discovers 6-Carat Diamond in Arkansas State Park, Potentially Valued at $1 Million
Jack Pearadin, a Navy reservist and amateur gem hunter, recently unearthed a 6.03-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. This discovery marks his most significant find after more than a decade of searching, during which he has found over 300 gems. Pearadin claims collectors have suggested the diamond could be worth up to $1 million, though an experienced appraiser cited by The Associated Press estimates its value closer to $250,000. The diamond, roughly the size of a fingernail, is the largest found at the park this year. Pearadin livestreamed the moment of discovery on TikTok, expressing his excitement. Crater of Diamonds State Park is unique as one of the only places globally where the public can search for diamonds and keep their findings, charging a $15 entry fee for a 5-gallon bucket of rocks. Most diamonds found there are small, typically weighing about a quarter of a carat, with larger finds being rare but not unprecedented.
