Gem hunter discovers 6‑carat diamond at Arkansas state park, claim worth up to $1 million

Gem hunter Jack Pearadin uncovered a 6.03‑carat yellow diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas on Oct. 3, 2026, marking the largest United States find of the year.

The discovery highlights the park’s unique status as one of the only public venues where anyone can search for and keep gemstones, a rarity that draws hobbyists from across the country.

Pearadin, a Navy reservist originally from Missouri, livestreamed the moment he rinsed gravel from a bucket and revealed the fingernail‑sized stone on TikTok, exclaiming, "

Oh my God! Oh my God! Holy crap, we got a big one!

" He has hunted at the park since 2013 and has collected more than 300 gems before this find.

Crater of Diamonds State Park, a former open‑pit mine turned state park in 1972, charges a $15 entry fee for a five‑gallon bucket of gravel. Since then, more than 37,000 diamonds have been recovered, though most are under a quarter‑carat and sell for a few hundred dollars. The park’s most famous find, the 40.23‑carat “Uncle Sam,” was uncovered in 1924.

The new diamond, which Pearadin has named the “American Dream,” is a high‑quality yellow stone. An experienced appraiser told the Associated Press that a diamond of this size could fetch about $250,000, while several collectors believe its rarity and provenance could push the price toward $1 million.

Pearadin intends to split any proceeds with fellow gem‑hunter Michael Schumacher of Wisconsin, who helped fill the bucket that yielded the gem. He also hinted that the windfall could fund his own crystal mine.

Further appraisal is pending, and the find is expected to draw increased attention to the park, where visitors continue to pay modest fees for the chance of striking a similar treasure.