Arizona dad recounts finding 2-carat diamond with son at Crater of Diamonds State Park

PIKE COUNTY, Ark. – It’s a boys’ trip a father and son say they will never forget and it’s for a very shiny reason.

Will and Marshall Barnett of Buckeye, Arizona, say while on their boys’ trip on July 27, they went to the Crater of Diamonds State Park to explore.

“We’re sitting there with our shovels and buckets,” Barnett said. “It was really a random spot that we picked”

Barnett said it was around noon when they spotted the diamond. They then took it to the officials to get it identified.

“They finally called us back and said it is a diamond it’s a 2.03-carat Arkansas diamond,” Barnett said.

Park officials said the two-carat diamond is rectangular, about the size of a pencil eraser, with a light brown color resembling iced tea.

The park visitors who uncover the stones get to name them, with the Barnetts deciding on “Minor Find” since Will often says his son Marshall is a “minor-miner.”

Officials say they discovered the second-largest stone found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park so far in 2024.

Barnett says it made the trip 100% memorable for the both of them and they decided they would keep the ring.

“Marshall and I decided it is our diamond and we will keep it as a souvenir as our boys’ weekend trip forever and ever. And if he ever has a need for it when he gets older we will re-evaluate it,” said Barnett.

Barnett said although it was great to find the diamond, it’s the family time he will treasure for a lifetime.

“It’s about being outside with a little man and spending time in the wonderful creation,” he said. “Finding extra shiny bits in the wonderful creation is a bonus.”

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