12-Year-Old Boy Finds 5.16-Carat 'God's Glory Diamond'
A 12-year-old North Carolina boy visiting Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park for the first time nearly two weeks ago lucked out big when after less than 10 minutes of searching, he found a 5.16-carat, honey brown diamond, which he gratefully named the "God's Glory Diamond."
A news release from the State Parks of Arkansas said Michael Dettlaff, 12, stopped by the park with his family on July 31 on their way to spend summer vacation in Fayetteville, Ark.
Michael, the lucky Boy Scout who found the diamond, was in the north end of the diamond search area when he saw the rare gem. He was so grateful for the blessing, according to park staff, he named it God's Glory Diamond. He was even more elated after they told him it weighed 5.16 carats.
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"It is thrilling any time a child finds a diamond here at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Michael was excited to have found his own diamond, as just about any boy would be, but he was absolutely awestruck when he realized its significance," Park Interpreter Waymon Cox said in the released.
"The gem is the 27th largest diamond found [by] a park visitor since Arkansas's diamond site became a state park in 1972. It is the eighth-largest brown diamond that has been certified by park staff," Cox added.
The God's Glory Diamond was found near an area that the 15.33-carat Star of Arkansas, a white diamond, was found in 1956. It is the third largest diamond to ever come from the site, according to park officials.
The Crater of Diamonds search area is a 37 and a half acre plowed field that is the eroded surface of the eighth largest diamond-bearing deposit in the world, according to the release. It is also the world's only diamond-producing site open to the public.
Diamonds found at the park are white, brown, and yellow in color. On average, about two diamonds are found each day at the park, which allows a finders-keepers policy. Friendly park staff provide free identification and registration of diamonds. Park interpretive programs and exhibits also explain the site's geology, history, and offer tips on recognizing diamonds in the rough.
More than 75,000 diamonds have been found at Arkansas's diamond site since the first diamonds were found at the site by John Huddleston, the farmer who at that time owned the land in 1906.
The largest diamond ever discovered in America was found at the site in 1924 during an early mining operation. It was named the Uncle Sam, this white diamond with a pink cast weighed 40.23 carats.
