"The diamonds formed under extreme pressure and heat deep in the Earth's mantle. If you find one, it will most likely look like a metallic or glassy pebble rather than a sparkly cut gem that you might picture in your mind. The volcanic soil also contains amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, and various types of quartz (and you can keep those, too)."
"The largest diamond found in the United States came from this field-the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam diamond, discovered in 1924 before the land became a state park. In September 2021, California visitor Noreen Wredberg found a 4.38-carat yellow diamond after searching for two hours, and in 2024, a visitor named Julien Navas found a 7.46-carat diamond at the park. The park received over 180,000 visitors in 2017, who found 450 certified diamonds of various colors."
"Park staff told Mays that visitors find one or two diamonds daily, so "keep your expectations in check," she writes. Most diamonds discovered are about the size of a paper match head, while a one-carat diamond is roughly the size of a green pea. But even tiny diamonds carry the thrill of discovery. Park staff provide free identification services, examining finds under loupes and confirming whether that glassy pebble is quartz or something more valuable."
Diamonds in the park formed under extreme pressure and heat deep in the Earth's mantle and typically appear as metallic or glassy pebbles rather than cut gems. Volcanic soil also contains amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, and various types of quartz that visitors may keep. The largest U.S. diamond from the field is the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam found in 1924; recent finds include a 4.38-carat yellow diamond in 2021 and a 7.46-carat diamond in 2024. Park visitors found 450 certified diamonds during 2017, with most finds small and staff offering free identification.
Read at WIRED
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