Park A Day Crater of Diamonds State Park

Crater of Diamonds State Park was first opened in 1973. Since then there have been a few major finds. These are some, but not all (a few years are missing):

• 1975: Mr. W. W. Johnson found a 16.33 carat white diamond on the surface of the field. It was cut to 7 ½ carats and named the “Amarillo Starlight.”
• 1977: The Kahn Canary diamond was found. Hilary Rodham Clinton wore this diamond to both her husband's inaugurals.
• 1978: Sulphur Springs, TX man finds 5-carat silver cape diamond.
• 1978: Betty Lamle of Hitchock, OK found a 8.61 carat brown diamond.
• 1979: James Williamson of Arizona finds a 5.08 carat brown diamond.
• 1980: Sam Barkley of N. Little Rock finds a 5.15 carat white diamond surface digging.
• 1981: Charles Newman of Little Rock, AR found a 6.25 carat white diamond and Martin Griffin of Carmi, IL found a 5.90 carat brown diamond.
• 1981: Carroll Blankenship of S’port, LA found a 8.82 carat white diamond.
• 1981: Ray Schall of Murfreesboro found a 6.7 carat white diamond.
• 1990: A 3.03 carat diamond was found by Shirley Strawn. It was cut into the 1.09-carat D-flawless "Strawn-Wagner Diamond," the most perfect diamond ever certified.
• 1998: Mother and daughter from Louisiana and Mississippi find 7.28-carat diamond.
• 2006: Donald and Brenda Roden of Point, Texas find 6.35 carat diamond.
• 2006: Bob Wehle of Ripon, Wisconsin finds 5.47-carat, canary yellow diamond.
• 2007: 13-year Nicole Ruhter of Butle old finds 2.93 carat diamond.

If that doesn't get you wanting to dig, I don't know what will. Crater of Diamonds is the eighth largest diamond reserve in the world, and the world's only diamond mine where the general public can mine for diamonds and actually keep what they find.

I admit that July may be a bit too hot for diamond mining, but check the title link and find out more information about the mines. You can plan a vacation for a cooler day.

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