American girl discovers 2.95 carat diamond in park

Aspen Brown, 7, found a 2.95-carat brown diamond on his birthday at an Arkansas state park, the second largest found this year at the site.

The Aspen girl from Paragould city on September 1 went to Crater of Diamonds park with her parents and grandmother to celebrate her seventh birthday.

"She was hot and wanted to sit down for a bit so she went to the big rock next to the fence. Then she ran to me and said 'Daddy I found this one,'" said Luther Brown, Aspen's father.

On their way out of the park, the Brown family stopped at the Diamond Discovery Center, where park staff confirmed the stone was The little girl discovered a 2.95 carat diamond.

The brown diamond was discovered by Aspen in Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas on September 1. Photo: Arkansas State Parks — The brown diamond was discovered by Aspen in Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas on September 1. Photo: *Arkansas State Parks*

The Browns’ birthday celebration is a 35-acre diamond-hunting area on the face of an ancient diamond-bearing volcano. Crater of Diamonds is one of the few places where visitors can rent tools or bring their own to search for diamonds, as long as they are not battery- or motor-powered. Admission is $13 for adults and $6 for children. Visitors who find diamonds get to keep them.

This is the second largest diamond discovered by visitors at Crater of Diamonds this year, following a 3.29-carat brown diamond found in March, according to a statement from the Arkansas Park Authority.

The value of the Aspen gem is unknown, but Waymon Cox, assistant park director, described it as "one of the most beautiful I've seen in recent years."

"It's a golden brown and it sparkles. It's a complete crystal, with no broken faces and a small crevice on one side, which was created when the diamond was formed," Cox said.

This is the first large diamond discovered since the completion of a renovation project last month at the park, according to park officials.

"A contracted company dug a nearly 450-foot trench in August to help address erosion north of the search area. Several tons of undiscovered diamond-bearing material were exposed and could very well lead to the discovery of this diamond," said Caleb Howell, park superintendent.

Visitors who find diamonds in state parks often name them. Aspen's father said the rock will be named after his daughter.

"She found it without any skill, Aspen was just in the right place at the right time," Brown said.

According to park officials, 563 diamonds have been found at Crater Diamonds Park this year, totaling more than 89 carats. Visitors find an average of one to two each day.

John Huddleston, a farmer who owned the land before it became a state park in 1972, was the first to discover diamonds there. More than 75,000 have been found since.

Huyen Le (According to ABC )

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