We made one more stop after leaving Louisiana. January seemed like the perfect time of year to go diamond hunting. Just outside of Murfreesboro, Arkansas is a unique State Park. Millions of years ago, the Continental Plates in this area collided, causing volcanic eruptions. Crater of Diamonds is correctly named because the search area is within the crater of the Prairie Creek Volcano. The diamonds were already in the lava, formed from carbon dioxide gas that was trapped deep in the earth. The gaseous magma carried the diamonds up to the surface, filling the crater with ash ash and diamonds. The ocean returned after the volcano erupted which created a sand layer of quartz . That is why quartz crystals are often found here as well.
This park is truly unique. You can find diamonds just by sifting through the dirt and also just by digging at the surface. You are able to keep what you find and wow, some big ones have been found.
Just days before our arrival, a 7.46-carat brown diamond was found. The recent rains had been a factor in that find and the rain had only continued. That said, it was amazing to me at how fast the dirt dried out.
This one was quite a find but no where near as large as the Uncle Sam diamond which was found in 1924, a 40.23 carat diamond.
Sadly, we found nothing but small pieces of quartz that day but it surely was a good time. One the way home, we continued to see water on both sides of the road and we were lucky to see a flock of White Pelicans.
We did that state park years ago during a spring break trip to Hot Springs. It was SO much fun for the kids.