Girl finds rare 2.95-carat diamond in Arkansas park on her birthday

Talk about a rock solid birthday.

A girl celebrating her seventh birthday this month found a rare 2.95-carat golden-brown diamond in an Arkansas state park.

Aspen Brown, of Paragould, found the valuable, pea-sized gem during a trip to Crater of Diamonds State Park with her father and grandmother to celebrate her birthday on Sept. 1, according to Arkansas State Parks.

He was resting near a pile of large rocks on the eroded surface of an ancient diamond-studded volcano when something shiny caught his eye.

“The next thing I knew, she was running up to me and saying, ‘Dad! Dad! I found one!’” his father, Luther Brown, recalled.

Aspen took her haul to the park’s Diamond Discovery Center, where they confirmed that the birthday girl had found a huge diamond.

Finding a gem that size in the 37.5-acre diamond search area is an “exceptionally rare” find, Aaron Palke, a research scientist at the Gemological Institute of America, told Insider.

The Aspen Diamond is the second largest found this year in the diamond-rich state park.

Most diggers, including professionals, only find diamonds in the entire park between 0.05 and 0.20 carats, about the size of a grain of rice.

“It’s very unusual to find a diamond like that in Arkansas,” Palke told the outlet.

Not only was it a big rock, but professionals said it was in near perfect condition.

“The Aspen diamond has a golden brown color and a brilliant shine. “It is a complete crystal, with no broken facets and a small crack on one side, created when the diamond was formed,” said Waymon Cox, assistant park superintendent.

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The park allows visitors to preserve any rocks or minerals they find while searching its 37-acre field.The park allows visitors to preserve any rocks or minerals they find while searching its 37-acre field. Arkansas State Parks

“It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful diamonds I have seen in recent years.”

But the value of this rare stone remains a secret.

In honor of her birthday and her incredible eye, Aspen decided to name the gem after her.

You can bring your own mining equipment to search (battery or motor-powered mining tools are not allowed), or rent tools in the park.The park allows visitors to bring their own mining equipment to search, with the exception of battery- or motor-powered mining tools, or they can rent tools at the park. Arkansas State Parks

The Aspen diamond is the second largest found this year in the diamond-rich state park, surpassed only by a 3.29-carat brown stone discovered in March.

However, it is the first large diamond recorded since the park completed an excavation project last month.

“A contracted company dug a 150-yard trench in August to help control erosion on the north side of the search area,” said Caleb Howell, park superintendent.

“Several tons of diamond-bearing material were exposed and it is quite possible that this diamond and others were discovered as a result.”

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Source: vtt.edu.vn

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