14 DAY TRIAL // Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only US diamond park open to the public. It has a finders keepers policy, which spells incredible luck for 12-year-old Tana Clymer, who recently discovered a 3.85-carat yellow diamond there.
ABC News reports that Tana heard about a boy’s 5-carat find of earlier this year, so she asked her parents if they could visit the Park too. After some digging and rummaging, she came across something she first mistook for a candy wrap.
“I thought it was a piece of paper or foil from a candy wrapper. Then, when I touched it, I thought it was a marble. I think God pointed me to it. I was about to sprint to join my family, and God told me to slow down and look. Then I found the diamond,” Tana says for the aforementioned media outlet.
An ABC News video report is also embedded below.
The teen says that she will probably turn the teardrop diamond into a ring but she’s also considering the option of selling it if it’s worth a lot, and use the money to cover her college expenses.
This year alone, 396 diamonds have been found at the Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park, including Tana’s. Since 1906, over 75,000 precious stones went home with 75,000 new lucky owners, so bear this in mind the next time you plan a US vacation. You never know when it might be your lucky day.
“No two diamonds are alike, and each diamond finder's story is unique, too. What an experience for Tana to remember the rest of her life,” assistant park superintendent Bill Henderson says.
“Tana told me that she was so excited she couldn't sleep last night. She's either going to keep the diamond for a ring, or if it's worth a lot, she'll want that for college,” Henderson adds.