MENU
  • Loading ...
  • Loading ...

YWait Travel

Latest News YWait Travel

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
Home robot cooks, cleans and organizes your life
Home robot cooks, cleans and organizes your life
Healthcare data breach hits system storing patient records
Healthcare data breach hits system storing patient records
Bikini skiing takes off on slopes as record warmth forces resorts into survival mode
Bikini skiing takes off on slopes as record warmth forces resorts into survival mode
Student 'accidentally' finds 'extremely rare' Crusader-era sword after chasing off suspected thieves
Student 'accidentally' finds 'extremely rare' Crusader-era sword after chasing off suspected thieves
Cruise ship strikes reef near Tom Hanks' iconic 'Cast Away' island, sparking rescue at sea
Cruise ship strikes reef near Tom Hanks' iconic 'Cast Away' island, sparking rescue at sea
'Unsupervised' child at Hersheypark zoo injured by wolf after crawling under safety barrier
'Unsupervised' child at Hersheypark zoo injured by wolf after crawling under safety barrier
Vacation hot spot cracks down on vaping with jail threats and hefty fines
Vacation hot spot cracks down on vaping with jail threats and hefty fines
World Cup travelers to New Jersey for finals could pay more under Democrat-backed tax hike
World Cup travelers to New Jersey for finals could pay more under Democrat-backed tax hike
Michigan Democrat defends appearing with Hasan Piker, distances himself from podcaster's controversial remarks
Michigan Democrat defends appearing with Hasan Piker, distances himself from podcaster's controversial remarks
Astronaut tells CNN 'entire' Trump administration deserves credit for Artemis mission success
Astronaut tells CNN 'entire' Trump administration deserves credit for Artemis mission success
Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt announces engagement to son of team's former quarterback: 'It was always you'
Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt announces engagement to son of team's former quarterback: 'It was always you'
Gilgo Beach victim's son claims suspected serial killer's family turned horror into profits ahead of plea
Gilgo Beach victim's son claims suspected serial killer's family turned horror into profits ahead of plea
Cyndi Lauper hit with backlash over SAVE Act stance as critics say 'stick to performing'
Cyndi Lauper hit with backlash over SAVE Act stance as critics say 'stick to performing'
Livvy Dunne says she auditioned for HBO's 'White Lotus' but got rejected for a role
Livvy Dunne says she auditioned for HBO's 'White Lotus' but got rejected for a role
ICE nabs 5 illegal immigrants wanted for murder abroad in New England crackdown
ICE nabs 5 illegal immigrants wanted for murder abroad in New England crackdown
Massachusetts mom offers to admit killing 3 children as prosecutors push back on move that could dodge prison
Massachusetts mom offers to admit killing 3 children as prosecutors push back on move that could dodge prison
Dawn Staley asks basketball world to move on after tense exchange with Geno Auriemma in Final Four clash
Dawn Staley asks basketball world to move on after tense exchange with Geno Auriemma in Final Four clash
Fix winter car damage for as little as $6 - rust, scratches and more
Fix winter car damage for as little as $6 - rust, scratches and more
ICE involved in shooting after agency says illegal immigrant gang member tried to ram officer
ICE involved in shooting after agency says illegal immigrant gang member tried to ram officer
Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster says she 'deserves a medal' for 26-year relationship
Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster says she 'deserves a medal' for 26-year relationship
Latest News

copyright © 2026 YWait Travel.   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