PHOENIX — Quality time with family is important, and at times, it gives way to memories being made. Such is true for a Buckeye father and son who now share an exceptionally unforgettable memory of unearthing the second-largest diamond found this year at Arkansas’ famous Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Will and Marshall Bennett set out on a boy’s trip this summer to Arkansas to visit family and decided to have fun along the way. During the drive, the duo decided to stop at the Crater of Diamonds after hearing about it from a family member.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Padre e hijo encuentran diamante de dos kilates en un viaje
The pair arrived at the park early in the morning with buckets, shovels, and screens rented at the park’s Discovery Center.
Diamond Crater State Park is known as one of the only places in the world where people can find real diamonds in their original volcanic composition. Park visitors have about 37 acres to search for hidden diamonds and can use an on-site wash pavilion to sift through their findings.
After filling a few buckets, they headed to the wash pavilion. That’s when Will spotted a rectangular two-carat diamond at the bottom of his screen. According to park officials, the pair was beaming with excitement following the discovery.
“While examining the diamond, I looked out the office window and asked Mrs. Keys who the finders were, then said, ‘Wait, let me guess: they’re the ones shaking with excitement!'” Park Superintendent Caleb Howell said.
The park says many visitors choose to name their diamonds, and this find is no exception. Will and Marshall decided to name their diamond “Minor Find” because the son is considered a minor miner—pun intended.
Minor Find is the 412th diamond registered at the park this year and the 36,500th since the park opened in 1972. Officials say one to two diamonds are found each day.
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