A 3.81-carat diamond was found at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, by a visitor from Minnesota, marking the largest diamond discovery at the park so far in 2025. The rare brown diamond was spotted on the surface of the park’s 37.5-acre search field, known for producing more than 75,000 diamonds since 1906.
DeCook, a frequent visitor to the park alongside his brother Derek, spotted the gem about an hour into their search. While walking down a hill south of the park’s south wash pavilion, he noticed what appeared to be a shiny object resembling a candy wrapper. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a diamond. He later named the stone “The Duke Diamond” in honor of his dog.
“Oh, you’re going to be mad once you see what I found!” DeCook reportedly told his brother after the discovery.
The Duke Diamond, characterized by its metallic copper luster and blocky, triangular shape, is the largest diamond registered at the park in 2025 and the most significant find since the 7.46-carat Carine Diamond discovered by French visitor Julien Navas in January 2024.
The day prior to DeCook’s visit, the park received nearly an inch of rain, contributing to favorable conditions for surface discoveries. Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox explained that rainfall causes erosion in the search area, often leading to an increase in surface finds. “Many of the park’s largest diamonds are found on top of the ground,” Cox said. “As rain falls in the search area, it washes away the dirt and uncovers heavy rocks, minerals, and diamonds near the surface.”
As of this publication, park staff have registered 220 diamonds in 2025, totaling more than 32 carats. Five of these registered diamonds have weighed more than one carat each.
Crater of Diamonds State Park, located on Arkansas Highway 301 in Murfreesboro, is one of the only places in the world where the public can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source. Since the first diamonds were discovered in 1906, over 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at the site.
For more information on planning a visit, including diamond hunting tips and park amenities, visit the Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Diamond Hunting Tips at Crater of Diamonds State Park
1. Surface Searching After Rain:
Rain can be your best friend. After a good downpour, diamonds are more likely to be exposed on the surface. Walk slowly and keep your eyes peeled for anything shiny.
2. Know What to Look For:
Diamonds found at the park are often rounded with smooth edges and a metallic luster. They come in white, brown, and yellow — and they don’t sparkle like cut gems!
3. Use the Tools — or Go Hands-On:
Bring your own tools or rent from the park: screens, buckets, and shovels are common. Or go low-tech and scan the surface — many of the biggest finds are lying right on top of the soil.
4. Be Patient:
Finding a diamond takes time and luck. Plan to spend a few hours (or the whole day), bring water, and wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can get muddy.
5. Check Your Finds:
If you’re unsure about a rock, don’t toss it. Park staff will help identify what you’ve found — and maybe, like David DeCook, you’ll walk away with a carat or three.
All photos in this article were provided by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT).
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
