Minnesota man finds 3.81-carat brown diamond at Arkansas State Park

MURFREESBORO, Ark. -- A visitor of Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas uncovered a 3.81-carat brown diamond in the ground while visiting with his family in April.

The man who found the diamond was David DeCook, a regular visitor to the park from Stewartville, Minnesota.

The state park says DeCook was visiting with his family on Monday, April 21, when he spotted what he first thought was a candy wrapper south of the park's south wash pavilion. However, once he saw a metallic shine on the object, he realized he had discovered the diamond.

The 3.81-carat diamond is described as having a metallic, copper luster with a blocky, triangular shape.

According to the park, DeCook inspected the diamond and stashed it in his pocket, telling his brother Derek, "Oh, you’re going to be mad once you see what I found!"

DeCook returned to the park a few days later to register the diamond. He decided to name his find The Duke Diamond after his dog and has not yet decided what to do with the diamond.

The 3.81-carat diamond is the biggest diamond found at Crater of Diamonds since French visitor Julien Navas found a 7.46-carat Carine Diamond in January 2024.