An Unexpected Treasure Hidden in Plain Sight
On a casual family outing, David DeCook from Minnesota stumbled upon what he thought was a shiny candy wrapper on the ground.
He bent down, picked it up — and realized it was not trash, but treasure: a 3.81-carat brown diamond glimmering under the sunlight.
The discovery took place at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, one of the few places in the world where the public can freely hunt for real diamonds and keep what they find.
Duke Diamond: A Gem Named After a Dog
After identifying and registering the diamond with park officials, David chose to name the gem “Duke Diamond”, in honor of his beloved pet dog.
“This is the biggest stone we’ve ever found,” he said, recalling past visits with his brother to the park.
“We’ve taken home some nice stones before, but nothing this size.”
A Park Where Anyone Can Strike It Rich
Crater of Diamonds State Park is known worldwide as a rare, accessible diamond field.
- Visitors can search through 37.5 acres of plowed land
- Whatever you find, you keep
- Since 1906, more than 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed here
The park’s assistant superintendent, Waymon Cox, explained:
“It’s not just luck — recent rainstorms had washed away the topsoil, exposing deeper layers where diamonds sit closer to the surface.”
A Diamond in the Rough — and a Viral Moment of Joy
David’s find wasn’t just massive — it was remarkably clean and beautiful.
At 3.81 carats, even a brown diamond can fetch thousands of dollars, depending on cut and clarity.
While David hasn’t revealed if he plans to sell or keep the gem, one thing’s clear:
What began as a fun walk turned into a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.
Final Thoughts: Bring a Shovel, Keep Your Eyes Open
So next time you head to Arkansas, skip the theme parks and hit the dirt — your next souvenir might be worth thousands.
And if something shiny catches your eye on the ground?
It might not be a candy wrapper. It might be your lucky day.