Jack Pearadin, a Navy reservist who has been searching for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park since 2013, made headlines this month when he uncovered a rare 6.03‑carat yellow diamond. The stone, which Pearadin has named the “American Dream,” was found during a TikTok livestream on Jan. 25 while he and his friend Michael Schumacher were processing a bucket of gravel collected from the park’s search area in late December.
Discovery captured live
While the livestream showed Pearadin sifting through the gravel, he suddenly turned back and saw a glow from the center of the pile. “I was about eight feet away, and for some reason I turned back and saw the gem glowing from the center of the pile,” Peardin recalled. He reached down to the bottom of the pile, pulled the stone out, and exclaimed, “Oh my God! Oh my God! We got a big one!” The reaction was captured in real time, drawing a flurry of comments from viewers.
What experts say about its value
Park officials note that employees are not trained to grade or appraise diamonds. They advise anyone with a find to contact a certified gemologist for an official evaluation. Certified gem appraiser Laura Stanley of Little Rock told the Associated Press that a high‑quality six‑carat yellow diamond from the park could sell for about $250,000, though some collectors have suggested the stone could be worth as much as $1 million.
Park’s unique role
Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only public diamond‑searching site in the United States, allows visitors to keep any gems they discover. “It’s the only place in America where you can go find your own diamond, and you can’t compare that to a diamond from anywhere else,” Stanley said. The park’s primary training focuses on identifying and registering diamonds for guests, not on grading them.
Future plans
Pearadin, who moved to nearby Murfreesboro to pursue his hobby, said he plans to split any profits from the “American Dream” with Schumacher, who helped collect the gravel. He hopes the proceeds will help him open his own crystal mine, expanding his passion for gem hunting.
Other notable finds this year
This summer, a grieving Pennsylvania woman uncovered a 3.09‑carat diamond at the park, and a Tennessee grandfather found a 2.29‑carat yellow diamond in August. The park continues to attract enthusiasts from across the country, offering a rare chance for ordinary citizens to strike it rich.
For more information on how to search for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park, visitors can contact Arkansas State Parks or consult a certified gemologist for grading and appraisal services.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
