Texas husband and father finds 2.09-carat diamond at Arkansas park with his kids
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A Texas man unearthed an unexpected treasure during a family trip this winter; This is all thanks to a Siri search from their son and his wife.
Arkansas State Parks recently shared news of the find at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Pike County. Forty-one-year-old James Ward unearthed the 2.09-carat brown diamond on December 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.
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According to Elizabeth Ward, visiting the park was the 7-year-old’s idea.
“We were watching TV one day and Austin came and said, ‘Mom, mom, is there a place in Texas or nearby where we can mine crystals?'” Anne said. “he said,” he recalled.
James Ward of Cypress, Texas, found the diamond while visiting the Arkansas park with his wife and two young sons. (Arkansas State Parks)
She quickly searched with Siri and found information about Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Elizabeth Ward said, “I sent the link to James and he said, ‘Oh, wait, it’s only six hours away. We can go!’ “he said,” he added.
“Listen to your children’s dreams and what they want to do!”
The jewel, called the Ward Diamond, was found on the second day of the family’s search.
The first day was long and cold, but 9-year-old Adrian encouraged the family to come back the next day when the jewel was found.
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“I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it was different from anything I’d found,” the father said.
Assistant park manager Waymon Cox compared the diamond to a grain of corn.
“[It has] a deep tawny hue and a beautiful, metallic shine [that’s] “It’s characteristic of all Crater diamonds,” Cox said.
Park officials described the Ward Diamond as having a dark yellowish-brown hue and metallic sheen. (Arkansas State Parks)
He added that crater diamonds formed in the Earth’s upper mantle and were “carried to the surface by an ancient volcanic conduit” millions of years ago.
“Most of them are chipped, broken, or contain flaws from the tremendous geological forces they endured,” Cox said.
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“Given its current size, you can imagine how large Mr. Ward’s diamond would have been as a full crystal.”
It’s unknown what happens to the diamond in the future, and Ward said he’s open to selling or keeping it.
The diamond appeared on the second day after cold weather cut short the family’s first attempt. (Arkansas State Parks)
“I’ll have to see how much it’s worth first,” he said.
Ward also encouraged park visitors not to give up on the first day of digging.
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“Listen to your children’s 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 evaluate diamonds or other rocks and minerals.”
“I’ll have to see how much it’s worth,” Ward said of his rare find. (Arkansas State Parks)
“Our basic training includes properly identifying and recording diamonds for guests who find them,” the official said.
“Anyone who wants their diamonds graded or appraised can access a certified gemologist who has special training to properly grade gemstone quality and estimate value.”
Ward’s discovery adds to the growing list of notable gems found by visitors at Crater of Diamonds State Park.
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An Oklahoma family unearthed a 2.79-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park in September, thanks to tools they purchased from a dollar store.
In April, a Minnesota resident unearthed a stunning 3.81-carat brown diamond in the park; He compared this finding to a candy wrapper.
