A dad was stunned to find a 2-carat brown diamond while out on a walk with his seven-year-old son.
James Ward, a teacher, was at home with his wife Elizabeth and their two sons Adrian, nine, and seven-year-old Austin, when the lads asked to go mining for crystals.
Playing along, the 41-year-old drove the family to a park known to have crystals in the area, with mining permitted.
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There, they came across the incredible find.
James said: “I was raking through dirt with my fingers when I spotted a metallic-looking crystal in the soil.
“I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it was different than everything else I had found.
“I picked up the shiny stone and put it in a paper sack with the rest of the finds.”
The trip came about after the boys became fixed on jewel hunting, leading the Texas-based family to travel six hours to Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, as reported by What’s The Jam.
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James said: “We spent four hours searching the first day, we were so cold we considered going home, but the kids wanted to come back the next day.
“Therefore we stayed the night.”
The family’s decision to return for a second day proved well worth it.
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Before leaving, they stopped by the park’s Diamond Discovery Center, where staff confirmed that Ward had found a 2.09-carat brown diamond.
Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox said: “Mr Ward’s diamond is about the size of a corn kernel, with a dark yellowish-brown hue and a beautiful, metallic luster characteristic of all Crater diamonds.
“The shield-shaped gem is a broken crystal.
“Crater diamonds formed in the upper mantle and were carried to the surface by an ancient volcanic pipe.
“Most are chipped, broken, or include flaws from the immense geological forces they endured.
“Given its current size, you can imagine how much bigger Mr Ward’s diamond might have been as a complete crystal!”
Many visitors choose to name the diamonds they find at the Crater of Diamonds State Park.
James Ward called his gem the “Ward Diamond” to commemorate the special experience with his family.
As for the future of the diamond, James is keeping his options open.
He said: “I have no idea if I want to sell or keep it.
“I’ll have to see how much it’s worth first!”
A 2.09-carat brown diamond’s worth varies greatly, according to cut, clarity and intensity of colour, but it can fetch up to £12,000.
James said to budding jewel-hunters: “You can stumble upon a diamond in any place or time.
“Don’t give up on the first day.”
Elizabeth added: “Listen to your kids about their dreams and what they want to do!”
The Ward Diamond was one of five diamonds found on the surface of the search area in December.
The discovery was made late last month (30 December), and was one of 540 diamonds registered in 2025 by park staff.
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