MENU
  • Loading ...
  • Loading ...

Casino Accommodation

Latest News Casino Accommodation

Are you looking for a holiday? Get special deals.

Man stumbles onto rare diamond treasure during Arkansas park trip with family: 'Knew it was different'

10 Jan 2026 By foxnews

Man stumbles onto rare diamond treasure during Arkansas park trip with family: 'Knew it was different'

A Texas man unearthed an unexpected treasure during a family trip this winter - all thanks to his sons and his wife's Siri search.

Arkansas State Parks recently shared news about the find, which was made at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Pike County. Forty-one-year-old James Ward unearthed the 2.09-carat brown diamond on Dec. 30.

Ward, who lives in Cypress, Texas, was visiting the park with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two young sons, Adrian, 9, and Austin, 7.

LONG-LOST ANCIENT VILLAGE WITH MYSTERIOUS PAST UNEARTHED AMID WIND FARM DIG: 'EXCITING DISCOVERY'

Visiting the park was the 7-year-old's idea, according to Elizabeth Ward. 

"One day we were watching TV, and Austin came and said, 'Mommy, Mommy, is there any place in Texas or nearby that we can mine for crystals?'" the mother recalled.

She quickly searched with Siri and found information on Crater of Diamonds State Park.

"I sent the link to James, and he's like, 'Oh wait, that's only like six hours away. We can go!'" added Elizabeth Ward.

The gem, named the Ward Diamond, was found on the family's second day of searching. 

The first day was long and cold, but 9-year-old Adrian encouraged the family to come back the next day - when the gem was found.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

"I didn't know what it was, but I knew it was different than everything else I had found," said the dad. 

Waymon Cox, an assistant park superintendent, compared the diamond to a corn kernel.

"[It has] a dark yellowish-brown hue and a beautiful, metallic luster [that's] characteristic of all Crater diamonds," said Cox.

He added that crater diamonds formed in Earth's upper mantle - and "were carried to the surface by an ancient volcanic pipe" millions of years ago.

"Most are chipped, broken or include flaws from the immense geological forces they endured," Cox said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

"Given its current size, you can imagine how much bigger Mr. Ward's diamond might have been as a complete crystal." 

What lies ahead for the diamond is unknown - and Ward said he's open to selling it or keeping it.

"I'll have to see how much it's worth first," he said. 

Ward also encouraged fellow park visitors not to give up on their first day of digging.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"Listen to your kids about their dreams and what they want to do!" his wife added. 

Arkansas State Parks told Fox News Digital that park employees "are not trained to grade or appraise diamonds or other rocks and minerals."

"Our primary training involves properly identifying and registering diamonds for guests who find them," the official said. 

"Anyone interested in having their diamonds graded or appraised can reach out to a certified gemologist, who has had special training to properly grade gemstone quality and estimate value."

Ward's discovery adds to a growing list of substantial gems found by visitors at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

An Oklahoma family unearthed a 2.79-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park back in September, thanks to tools they bought at a dollar store.

In April, a Minnesota resident unearthed a stunning 3.81-carat brown diamond at the park - a find that he compared to a candy wrapper.

More News

Booking.com
FBI warns QR code phishing used in North Korean cyber spying
FBI warns QR code phishing used in North Korean cyber spying
'Are You Dead?' app taps into global loneliness crisis
'Are You Dead?' app taps into global loneliness crisis
Rare and original American founding documents to fly on Freedom Plane across nation
Rare and original American founding documents to fly on Freedom Plane across nation
World's most famous museum slams doors to visitors as employee revolt continues
World's most famous museum slams doors to visitors as employee revolt continues
FBI solves Colonial Parkway murders thanks to new technology, bureau says
FBI solves Colonial Parkway murders thanks to new technology, bureau says
US begins transferring ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq amid security transition
US begins transferring ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq amid security transition
Dozens sickened as potentially deadly fungus spreads in southern state
Dozens sickened as potentially deadly fungus spreads in southern state
2 hikers in Olympic National Forest killed after tree falls on popular trail
2 hikers in Olympic National Forest killed after tree falls on popular trail
Bills quarterback's wife pens heartfelt social media post to fired coach Sean McDermott's family
Bills quarterback's wife pens heartfelt social media post to fired coach Sean McDermott's family
CNN guest apologizes after falsely claiming Trump was part of 'human sex trafficking network'
CNN guest apologizes after falsely claiming Trump was part of 'human sex trafficking network'
Good Samaritan stops Florida maniac attacking child with knife at school bus stop after jail release: police
Good Samaritan stops Florida maniac attacking child with knife at school bus stop after jail release: police
Oklahoma man charged with threatening to kill ICE agents, MAGA Republicans online
Oklahoma man charged with threatening to kill ICE agents, MAGA Republicans online
Michele Tafoya says Minnesota needs political outsider 'with a spine' in Republican Senate bid
Michele Tafoya says Minnesota needs political outsider 'with a spine' in Republican Senate bid
Luigi Mangione case: If stalking and assault aren't 'crimes of violence,' death penalty vanishes
Luigi Mangione case: If stalking and assault aren't 'crimes of violence,' death penalty vanishes
Eli Manning implores teams to 'lose with grace' after Miami's postgame antics: 'Doing nothing is OK'
Eli Manning implores teams to 'lose with grace' after Miami's postgame antics: 'Doing nothing is OK'
Taylor Swift calls Justin Baldoni a 'b----' in explosive texts with Blake Lively revealed in lawsuit
Taylor Swift calls Justin Baldoni a 'b----' in explosive texts with Blake Lively revealed in lawsuit
Prince Harry fights back tears in court, says UK tabloids made Meghan Markle's life 'an absolute misery'
Prince Harry fights back tears in court, says UK tabloids made Meghan Markle's life 'an absolute misery'
California father says Newsom ignored him after illegal immigrant trucker left daughter unable to walk
California father says Newsom ignored him after illegal immigrant trucker left daughter unable to walk
Former NFL player and Texas football standout Jordan Shipley leaves hospital after ranch fire injuries
Former NFL player and Texas football standout Jordan Shipley leaves hospital after ranch fire injuries
Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter: John Harbaugh kicks off Giants' tenure with presidential welcome
Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter: John Harbaugh kicks off Giants' tenure with presidential welcome
Latest News

copyright © 2026 Casino Accommodation.   All rights reserved.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z