Crater of Diamonds Newsletter

One of the best “chores” at the Diamond Discovery Center of the Crater of Diamonds SP is registering the diamonds that our visitors find. The process is fairly simple, but takes a little bit of time. The order of steps varies from person to person, but my first step always is to weigh the diamond. We have a very accurate diamond scale that reports in 1/1000^th of a carat. However, we only use the 1/100^th of a carat, which are called points. If the 1/1000^th is nine, then we will round up to the next highest point.

Then, we place it under a very nice Nikon binocular microscope that will magnify it up to 500 times. This scope allows the visitors to view their diamond and often helps the staff decide the color of the diamond. We have added a camera to this microscope, which is connected to a computer. With computer software we are able to take a picture and save it in the computer so that we have a record of each diamond. We print out that picture for the finder. We also use these photos in the new Visitor Center monitor display above the front desk. Now our visitors can see pictures of the latest diamond finds while they wait to pay their entrance fees.

We keep track of a few statistics about our diamonds. So, each finder is asked for their name, home city and state, and we also record the diamond weight, color, search method, and date. This information is entered into a computer database and a log book. We are working to put all diamonds found since 1972 into the database, so that we can easily find diamonds and look at statistics.

Every diamond gets a registration card that is signed by our superintendent or assistant superintendent. These cards identify the diamond as a Crater diamond. If the diamond is then sold, the buyer will know from the card that this diamond came from the Crater. It adds a little value to the diamond, because Crater diamonds are presently the only American diamonds. If the diamond is a visitor’s first find, we place it into a jewel box. Finally, we give each finder a handout about the Kimberley process that must be used when taking Crater diamonds out of the United States.

The best part by far for the staff is how excited especially our first-time finders are to have a diamond. The excitement and happiness is infectious. We also get to see a lot of beautiful diamonds—even the tiny 1 pt. diamonds are often lovely with natural facets and beautiful colors. The big diamonds, 2 carats and over, are fun for the entire park staff and everyone wants a chance to see them.

In the past we sounded a horn every time a diamond was registered. That horn broke down, and we have yet to find a good replacement. We do post all of the latest diamond finds on the whiteboard next to the tool rental desk. We also have a book and a bulletin board where visitors can read stories of some of our diamond finders. Finally, all diamond finds are sent weekly to the local newspapers and posted online and at the end of the each week’s e-newsletter. Maybe your name will be on the next list!

Search area last plowed: February 23, 2011; Most recent significant rain: March 4, 2011

March 20 - Kenny and Melissa Oliver, Rosston, AR, 4 pt. white, 2.44 ct. white; Tom Suboski, Stephenson, MI, 13 pt. yellow; Kyle Cunningham, Tulsa, OK, 11 pt. yellow

March 21 - Terri Cheek, Delight, AR, 1 pt. white; Patricia King, Little Rock, AR, 26 pt. white; Beth Gilbertson, Murfreesboro, AR, 19 pt. brown

March 22 - Maddie Linam, Ft. Smith, AR, 9 pt. yellow; David Anderson, Murfreesboro, AR, 2 pt. yellow, 6 pt. white, 11 pt. yellow, 48 pt. white, 94 pt. white; Angela Stratton, El Dorado, AR, 54 pt. white

March 23 - Jeff Engle, Marindo City, TX, 6 pt. white; Harmony Garrett, Capitol Heights, MD, 49 pt. yellow

March 26 - Kenny and Melissa Oliver, Rosston, AR, 5 pt. brown, 9 pt. white, 29 pt. white; Ed and Gail DeKruger, Mt. Morris, MI, 2 pt. white, 8 pt. yellow; David Anderson, Murfreesboro, AR, 46 pt. yellow