Grandfather finds hidden treasure in plain sight as park officials 'dumbfounded' by discovery

A grandfather from Tennessee recently walked away from an Arkansas state park with a remarkable discovery: a yellow diamond.

He made the discovery at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Pike County, Arkansas State Parks announced Aug. 29.

At the time, Barry G. Smith of Germantown, Tennessee, was searching for diamonds in the park with his two granddaughters, Sage and Juniper.

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​"Not expecting anything more than a fun time, the family rented a wagon and basic kit from the park and began their diamond search," Arkansas officials said in a statement about the Aug. 16 discovery.

After about 30 minutes of searching, Smith spotted something glimmering in the East Drain section of the park - but initially mistook it for mica, a glittery and common mineral.

The grandfather placed the gem in his shirt pocket and didn't think much of the find until he had it inspected at the park's Diamond Discovery Center, he said. 

"After further inspection, staff confirmed that Smith had found a gorgeous 2.29-carat yellow diamond," the release said.

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The diamond surprised even park officials.

​"I was dumbfounded when I first saw the diamond," facility supervisor Ralph Hall said in a statement.

"Its overall shape and color immediately reminded me of the Pearadin Schumacher American Dream Diamond found earlier this year," Hall added.

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Park officials indicate that yellow diamonds rank as the rarest variety found in the park, with the majority of visitors discovering brown or white stones instead.

​"Yellow diamonds are created when nitrogen is absorbed into the crystal structure during formation," Arkansas State Parks noted.

"Nitrogen impurities absorb blue light and reflect yellow wavelengths, giving the diamond its yellow hue."

Smith told park officials he was "absolutely" excited about his discovery.

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"I never expected to find a diamond here," the grandfather said.

He added, "The potential was there, but you never come here expecting to find one."

Smith chose to name the gem the Sage Juniper Diamond, after his granddaughters.

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Park officials described the diamond as about the size of a black-eyed pea, noting that it was the third-largest diamond found at the park this year.

"As of this publication, 351 diamonds have been registered by park guests in 2026," the release added.

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"An average of one to two diamonds is found at the park each day."

Officials did not release an estimated value for Smith's diamond.

Arkansas State Parks previously told Fox News Digital that park employees "are not trained to grade or appraise diamonds or other rocks and minerals."

An official said, "Anyone interested in having their diamonds graded or appraised can reach out to a certified gemologist, who has had special training to properly grade gemstone quality and estimate value."

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Several notable diamonds have been discovered at the park in recent months.

Earlier this month, a grieving Pennsylvania woman discovered a 3.09-carat diamond just days after burying her father and months after losing her son.

A few months before, a Texas man unearthed a 2.09-carat brown diamond during a family trip inspired by his 7-year-old son's interest in mining for crystals.