Record Diamond Discovery
Navy Reservist Discovers Arkansas Park's Largest Yellow Diamond of the Year
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Key Points
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Pearadin moved from Missouri to nearby Murfreesboro to be closer to the park, saying of his commitment to the hobby, “I love it that much.”
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The diamond has 48 natural faces and has not yet received a certified grade, so collectors’ estimates are being discussed without a definitive certification.
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Pearadin said most of the more than 300 gems he found previously were sold online; the park’s average 0.17-carat diamond sells for about $700, according to certified gem appraiser Laura Stanley.
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Crater of Diamonds draws an estimated 120,000 to 180,000 visitors a year, according to the article, while the park had recorded 37,377 diamond finds as of the start of the year.
Navy reservist Jack Pearadin found a 6.03-carat yellow diamond at Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park, marking the largest discovery there this year. Times of India reported that Pearadin named the stone the American Dream and says collectors believe it could be worth more than $1 million, though an appraiser told The Associated Press it may be worth about a quarter of that. Pearadin made the find while livestreaming on TikTok with a friend and plans to share any proceeds with the person who helped uncover it.
The discovery caps more than a decade of searching at the park. NY Post noted that Pearadin has found over 300 gems at Crater of Diamonds since 2013. The park lets visitors keep any stones they find, and while hundreds of diamonds are discovered there yearly, most are small — the park's average diamond weighs just 0.17 carats and sells for about $700, according to certified gem appraiser Laura Stanley.
Arkansas Park Lets Hunters Keep Their Finds
Crater of Diamonds State Park draws an estimated 120,000 to 180,000 visitors a year. The Epoch Times reported that the park had recorded 37,377 diamond discoveries as of the start of the year. The park is famous for its open-dig policy — anyone can search the grounds and keep whatever they find. This makes it a magnet for serious gem hunters and casual tourists alike.
Most finds are tiny. But occasionally, major stones emerge. The park is home to the legendary Uncle Sam diamond, a 40.23-carat white diamond discovered in 1924 that remains one of the largest ever found there. Pearadin's 6.03-carat yellow gem ranks among the park's top discoveries in recent years.
From Missouri to Murfreesboro: Thirteen Years of Searching
Pearadin moved from Missouri to nearby Murfreesboro to be closer to the park, saying of his dedication: "I love it that much." Times of India reported that he has spent 13 years hunting diamonds at the site. His previous finds — more than 300 gems total — were mostly sold online. The work and time investment have been enormous, but the American Dream find suggests his persistence may finally pay off.
The stone itself is remarkable. It has 48 natural faces and weighs exactly 6.03 carats. However, it has not yet received a certified grade from an official gemological institute. Without that certification, collectors' estimates of its value range widely — from about $250,000 according to an appraiser, to more than $1 million according to some collectors.
Value Uncertain Until Diamond Is Officially Graded
The American Dream's value remains up for debate. The Associated Press told the story that an appraiser estimated the diamond at roughly one-quarter of $1 million. But collectors believe it could fetch significantly more. The difference hinges on several factors: the diamond's clarity, exact color grade, and whether it has any internal flaws.
Once Pearadin gets the stone officially certified by a gemological lab, its market value should become much clearer. For now, the stone's true worth remains a mystery — adding to its allure. Pearadin plans to split any eventual sale proceeds with his friend who was searching alongside him when the diamond was discovered.
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