Extinct Volcano in Arkansas Is Public Diamond Mine

Friday, August 22, 2025

In southwest Arkansas, the state government runs what might be the world's most unusual diamond mine. For the price of a movie ticket, anyone can dig for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park -- and keep whatever they find.

Posted by lamplighter at 03:31 PM | 10 COMMENTS | permalink

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-- Ars Technica (@arstechnica.com) Aug 19, 2025 at 7:06 AM

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More from the article ...

... The 37-acre search field near Murfreesboro sits atop an ancient volcanic pipe that erupted roughly 100 million years ago. That eruption brought diamonds that formed deep within the Earth's mantle to the surface, where they now wait in the soil for anyone with a garden trowel and patience. ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-08-19 04:06 PM

There was a fascinating episode of Frontline, years ago, about the DeBeers Co. Turns out they told the US that, if we ever try to actually mine those diamonds, they would cut us off from supplying industrial diamonds.
As if I needed any further discouragement from buying diamonds, this pushed it over the edge.

#2 | Posted by morris at 2025-08-19 04:56 PM

All rhe rest are stolen from. Africa.

#3 | Posted by fresno500 at 2025-08-19 08:01 PM

The park has been open for a long time and there have been some really nice diamonds found there.

#4 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-08-22 06:53 PM

Of course, the question that needs to be asked is ...

Why this focus upon what is little more than crystalized soot?

#5 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-08-22 10:27 PM

Hardest Rock on Earth.

Carbon can be more than greenhouse gas.

The whole Living Earth is Soot too, I Guess?

Carbon based Life.

#6 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-08-23 01:47 PM

Of course, the question that needs to be asked is ...

Why this focus upon what is little more than crystalized soot?

#5 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-08-22 10:27 PM | Reply | Flag:

JFC.... You do know diamonds aren't just a girl's best friend, right?

#7 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-08-23 03:58 PM

Gaslighter might be as ignorant as he acts.

#8 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-08-23 04:20 PM

Went there last year when we drove to see the eclipse. Mostly a waste of time but it was a fun thing to do for a few hours. Also drove by Bill Clintons house in Hope.

#9 | Posted by THEBULL at 2025-08-24 09:36 AM

Not new news as had fun digging there decades ago on a vacation trip.

#10 | Posted by MSgt at 2025-08-24 01:05 PM

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