Crater Of Diamonds Park: Colorado Woman Shocked After Finding Massive Diamond

A Colorado woman received a very unexpected surprise during a visit to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas — she found a massive 8.52-carat diamond. According to USA Today, citing official records from park officials, the diamond is said to be the fifth largest diamond found since the park was established in 1972.

Colorado resident Bobbie Oskarson was at the Crater of Diamonds State Park Wednesday when she made the incredible discovery. A report from 9 News revealed that at first glance, Oskarson thought she had dug up a quartz crystal. But upon further inspection, Oskarson realized her find was much more special than a quartz crystal.

Park interpreter Waymon Cox confirmed that the Colorado woman had indeed found a diamond, and he described the gem as being approximately three-quarters of an inch long and as big around as a standard No 2 pencil.

He released a statement regarding Oskarson’s find.

“Ms. Oskarson’s eight-and-a-half-carat diamond is absolutely stunning, sparkling with a metallic shine, and appears to be an unbroken, capsule-shaped crystal. It features smooth, curved facets, a characteristic shared by all unbroken diamonds from the Crater of Diamonds.”

Reportedly, the diamond was found in an area known as the Pig Pen, which is one of the muddiest areas in the Crater of Diamonds park.

“Twenty minutes into her search, she found the diamond in a couple scoops she had dug from a small mound of dirt,” the statement reads.

Not only did the woman find the huge diamond just minutes into her search, it was also her first time visiting the park.

“She named her gem the Esperanza Diamond, both her niece’s name and the Spanish word for ‘hope.’ At this time, Oskarson plans to keep the gem.”

Dozens of people find diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds park each year, but it’s rare to see one as big as Oskarson’s. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Arkansas resident Susie Clark found a 3.69-carat diamond at the park in April. The diamond was the previous record-holder for this year, and according to Cox, it was about the size of a pinto bean.

[Image via Carl Court/Getty Images News]