Buckeye Father and Son Uncover Second-Largest Diamond of the Year at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park

A routine father-and-son road trip turned into a memorable adventure for Will and Marshall Barnett of Buckeye, Arizona, after they unearthed the second-largest diamond registered at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park this year.

The Barnetts embarked on a “boys’ week” road trip in late July with plans to visit family and enjoy some leisure time. Their journey took an exciting turn when Will Barnett, inspired by his uncle’s experiences as a park interpreter at another Arkansas state park, decided to make a stop at the Crater of Diamonds State Park to try their luck at finding a diamond.

On July 27, Will and Marshall arrived at the park equipped with buckets and shovels. They rented screens from the Diamond Discovery Center and began their search in the park’s 37.5-acre diamond search area, a plowed field situated on the eroded surface of an ancient volcano known for its diamond deposits.

After collecting several buckets of soil, the duo moved to the park’s south wash pavilion to wet sift their finds. “Wet sifting is one of the most effective methods for finding diamonds,” explained Park Interpreter Ashlyn Keys. “Using screens and water to separate the dirt from the gravel allows visitors to process more material quickly, increasing their chances of discovery.”

While sifting through their soil, Will noticed a glimmering gem and called his son over. Marshall, with anticipation, inspected the stone and sought confirmation from a nearby experienced miner about its authenticity.

Later that day, the Barnetts brought their gem to the Diamond Discovery Center, where staff confirmed it was indeed a significant diamond. Park Superintendent Caleb Howell remarked, “When I saw the diamond, I asked Mrs. Keys who the finders were and then guessed, ‘They must be the ones shaking with excitement!’ Their joy was evident from their beaming smiles.”

The diamond, weighing two carats and resembling the size of a pencil eraser, is rectangular and features a light brown color akin to iced tea. “The standout feature was the two large facets that gleamed brilliantly in the light,” Howell noted.

The Barnetts named their discovery “Minor Find,” a nod to their frequent gold-panning adventures and Will’s playful term for his son, “minor-miner.” Will reflected on their experience, saying, “It’s worth looking, even if you don’t find a diamond!”

The “Minor Find” is the 412th diamond registered at the Crater of Diamonds State Park this year and the 36,500th since the park’s designation as an Arkansas State Park in 1972. Visitors to the park find, on average, one or two diamonds each day.