French Tourist Finds Massive 7.46-Carat Diamond During A Road Trip In The US

During a recent road trip through the United States, French tourist Julien Navas stumbled upon an extraordinary discovery at an Arkansas state park: a massive 7.46-carat diamond. On January 11, while exploring the expansive 37.5-acre search area at Crater of Diamonds State Park, Navas spotted the sizable rock resting on the surface.

Arkansas state parks

Navas was determined to visit during his trip

Navas, who had traveled to the US to witness a rocket launch in Florida and had plans to visit Bourbon Street in New Orleans with friends, learned about Arkansas' renowned Crater of Diamonds State Park along the way.

Intrigued by the park's reputation and his previous experiences panning for gold and searching for fossils, Navas was determined to visit during his trip, according to a news release from Arkansas State Parks. Arriving at the park a few days after a substantial rainfall, Navas purchased his ticket and rented a basic diamond hunting kit before venturing into the search area.

"As rain falls on the field, it washes away the dirt and uncovers heavy rocks, minerals, and diamonds near the surface," explained Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox. Cox noted that many of the park's significant diamonds are discovered on the surface, aided by natural erosion promoted by periodic plowing of the search area.

Despite the wet and muddy conditions, he began his search, initially digging before shifting his focus to scanning the ground for any remarkable finds as the day progressed.

Arkansas State Parks

Found a diamond weighing 7.46 carats

After hours of searching, Navas brought his discoveries to the park's Diamond Discovery Center, where he received the stunning news that he had unearthed a brown diamond weighing 7.46 carats.

Overwhelmed by the revelation, Navas exclaimed, "I am so happy! All I can think about is telling my fiancee what I found." The diamond Navas found boasts a deep chocolate brown hue and is rounded like a marble, measuring about the size of a candy gumdrop.

"It is always so exciting to see first-time visitors find diamonds, especially large diamonds like this one!" remarked Park Interpreter Sarah Reap.

Arkansas State Parks

Reflecting on his visit to Crater of Diamonds State Park, Navas described it as a "magical place" where the dream of finding a diamond can become a reality. He expressed plans to return to the park with his daughter when she is older.

Navas christened his discovery the Carine Diamond, in honor of his fiancee. He hopes to have the stone cut into two diamonds, one for his fiancee and one for his daughter, marking a memorable and meaningful memento of his remarkable find.

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