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Man from Murfreesboro finds 3.20-carat white diamond
By Waymon Cox
While many people may visit Crater of Diamonds State Park only once in a lifetime, there are a number of men and women who enjoy diamond mining on a regular basis, turning a fun recreational activity into a major hobby. Such is the case with Billy Moore, a 45-year-old airpack who has mined regularly at the Crater for over a year. On October 30, Moore found his largest diamond yet, a 3.20-carat white gem. Moore was wet sifting in the east drain of the park’s 37 ½ acre diamond search area, when he came across the stone in his screen. “At first I thought it was a piece of wadded-up gum wrapper,” Moore said, “then I rolled it around with my finger and saw a shiny side, and I knew it was a diamond!”
Moore’s diamond is about the size of an English pea, with a rough, rounded shape and sparkling white color. The stone had some dirt in its cracks and crevices, so Moore had it cleaned before registering it at the park on Wednesday, November 11. He has named his diamond The Frosty, due to its icy, encrusted appearance. He says he plans to sell it.
Over the past year, Moore has found nearly 400 diamonds at the Crater. He has also helped visitors of all ages learn how to search, many of whom have successfully found their own diamonds. “Persistence pays off in diamond mining,” Moore noted. “That is something that I truly believe, and I tell it to everyone I help.” The Frosty is the second-largest diamond found at the park this year, after the 5.75-carat white Arabian Knight diamond found on April 28 by Mike Burns of Arab, Alabama. Other large finds this year include a 2.93-carat brown diamond found on October 20 by Royce Walker of Lockesburg, a 2.35-carat white diamond found on May 13 by Stephen Carter of Hot Springs, and a 2.04-carat yellow diamond found on April 9 by Glenn Worthington of Springdale.
The Frosty, a 3.20-carat white diamond found October 20 by local miner Billy Moore.
A total of 841 diamonds have been found at Crater of Diamonds State Park this year, 26 of which have weighed over one carat. The park remains open year-round, seven days a week, closing only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Park interpreters regularly demonstrate diamond mining techniques and offer other special interest programs for visitors. For more information, contact the park at 870-285-3113 or by e-mail at CraterofDiamonds@arkansas.com. Or visit www.CraterofDiamondsStatePark.com.
Search area last plowed: October 20, 2009 Diamond finds for November 9 - 14, 2009 November 9 - Glenn Worthington, Springdale, AR, 3 pt. brown; David Anderson, Kent City, MI, 25 pt. white November 10 - Melissa Kunefke, Batesville, AR, 6 pt. white November 11 - Melissa Oliver, Rosston, AR, 8 pt. white; Kenneth Shoemaker, Murfreesboro, AR, 16 pt. white; Billy Moore, Murfreesboro, AR, 5 pt. brown, 7 pt. white, 3.20 ct. white; David Anderson, Kent City, MI, 2 pt. white November 12 - Chad Johnson, Murfreesboro, AR, 5 pt. white, 5 pt. white, 13 pt. white, 19 pt. white; Thomas Houser, Bossier City, LA, 12 pt. white November 13 - Terry Staggs, Tulsa, OK, 13 pt. white; Faith Helmus, Las Vegas, NV, 1.16 ct. white November 14 - Meghan Recker, Maumelle, AR, 3 pt. white |
209 State Park Road
Murfreesboro, AR 71958
Email: craterofdiamonds@arkansas.com
Phone: (870) 285-3113
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