Gem Hunter Finds Rare Yellow Diamond at Arkansas State Park

Navy reservist Jack Pearadin has revealed the remarkable discovery of a 6.03-carat yellow diamond, which he has named the "American Dream," found earlier this year at Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park. The gem, described as having a striking golden-yellow color and an unusual, almost square shape, was unearthed on Jan. 25.

Pearadin discovered the diamond while processing a bucket of gravel he and his friend, Michael Schumacher, had collected from the park's search area in late December. The area had recently been covered by more than an inch of ice from a winter storm, making the search conditions difficult.

"I was about eight feet away, and for some reason I turned back and saw [the gem] glowing from the center of the pile," Pearadin told The Associated Press. "I had to go almost to the bottom of the pile to pull it out, it was so big. I was shaking!"

His excited reaction was captured on a TikTok livestream, where he exclaimed, "Oh my God! Oh my God! We got a big one!"

While park officials do not appraise gems, collectors have suggested the "American Dream" diamond could be worth as much as $1 million. Laura Stanley, a certified gem appraiser in Little Rock, told the AP that a high-quality six-carat yellow diamond from the park could sell for approximately $250,000.

Pearadin has been a regular visitor to the park since 2013 and even relocated to nearby Murfreesboro to dedicate more time to his gem-hunting hobby. He plans to share any profits from the "American Dream" with Schumacher and hopes to use the funds to open his own crystal mine.

This find is one of several notable diamonds discovered at the Crater of Diamonds State Park this year. In the summer, a woman found a 3.09-carat diamond, and in August, a grandfather discovered a 2.29-carat yellow diamond.