A seemingly ordinary hiking day for a man from Arkansas turned into a real-life treasure hunt. Jerry Evans, accompanied by his girlfriend, was strolling through Crater of Diamonds State Park last spring, having no clue about the jewel discovery that awaited him. 

He stumbled upon what looked like a piece of glass that turned out to be the most unexpected thing: a 4.87-carat diamond. Following this, the discovery changed the hiker’s life and became one of the most remarkable finds in the park’s history.

Hiker’s serendipitous visit to gem haven 

It was the first time the hiker and his girlfriend visited the park last spring, and little did they know their debut trip would land them a majestic surprise. Spotting what appeared to be a piece of glass atop the plowed ridge, Evans presumed it was an ordinary fragment.  

Uncertain about the inconspicuous pyramid-shaped object, the hiker pocketed it, having no hope that it was a diamond. After contemplating the object’s potential value, he sought help from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) after his return. Weeks later, the hiker received the astounding news from GIA, confirming that he received not pecks of glass but a 4.87-carat diamond.

Later on, Evans shared his feelings about his fortuitous treasure hunt, “When they called and told me it was real, I was tickled to death!” After this, the hiker contacted the park authorities, sharing the news.

Pocketed specimen to park history

Crater of Diamonds Park in Arkansas has been revered as a haven for diamond enthusiasts and hikers. The legacy dates back to the early 1900s when the first diamonds were unearthed in Pike County. The park, apart from being a popular hiking spot, has earned the title of the hotspot of diamond discoveries, with one to two gem finds daily. The year 2023 alone holds a record for finding 798 diamonds, which totals 125 carats.

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Before Evans, another hiker from Maumelle, Kevin Kinard, held the record for finding a 9.07-carat brown diamond on his visit to the park on Labor Day, 2020. However, now the hiker from Arkansas has taken up his place. The hiker’s find has significantly added to the discoveries, amounting to 75,000 diamonds.

During his hike, Jerry Evan’s fortuitous discovery exposes the uncertain side of the world of adventure that serves as allure amidst nature’s beauty. With this, the hiker rewrote the legacy of Crater of Diamond State Park, adding to the splendor of nature with a shimmering record.

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