Full Breakdown
Six-Carat “American Dream” Diamond Unearthed at Arkansas State Park
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The Find: Details of the Discovery
Navy reservist Jack Pearadin, who has been prospecting at Crater of Diamonds State Park since 2013, and fellow hunter Michael Schumacher uncovered a 6.03-carat yellow diamond this year. Pearadin livestreamed the moment on TikTok, describing the stone as “massive” and “gorgeous.” He has named the gem the “American Dream.” Collectors have suggested a value near $1 million, while a certified appraiser estimates a high-quality six-carat stone could fetch about $250,000. By comparison, a typical 0.17-carat diamond from the park sells for roughly $700.
Background: Public Diamond Hunting in Arkansas
Crater of Diamonds State Park, a former open-pit mine turned public park in 1972, remains one of only two known primary diamond deposits in the United States—the other being Colorado’s Kelsey Lake. Visitors pay a $15 entry fee, fill a 5-gallon bucket with gravel, and keep any gemstones they retrieve. Since the park opened, more than 37,000 diamonds have been found, most weighing about a quarter of a carat. The park’s most famous find, the 40-carat “Uncle Sam,” is on display at the Smithsonian.
Data & Statistics
- Pearadin has recovered over 300 gems from the park.
- Annual park yields range from 400 to 800 diamonds, most under 0.25 carat.
- Larger historic finds include a 9-carat diamond in 2020 and a 7-carat stone in 2024.
- Certified gem appraiser Laura Stanley notes a typical 0.17-carat diamond sells for about $700, whereas a high-quality six-carat yellow diamond can command roughly $250,000.
Official Statements & Responses
Waymon Cox, park assistant superintendent, referenced the 9-carat 2020 find and the 7-carat 2024 discovery as examples of larger stones previously recovered. Stanley emphasized that the origin of a park-sourced diamond adds intrinsic value beyond its size.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Oh my God! Oh my God!” — Jack Pearadin
- “It’s a pretty remarkable operation that that’s available to the public,” — Nathan Renfro, senior manager at the Gemological Institute of America
- “It’s just this massive, gorgeous yellow diamond,” — Jack Pearadin