Crater of Diamond State Park is 911 acre Arkansas State Park in Pike County, Arkansas. Out of this 37.5 acre which is world’s only diamond bearing site open to public. More than 75,000 diamonds have been discovered in the field since 1906 which includes worlds only perfect diamond discovered, the Strawn-Wagner Diamond.
Dean Filppula holding his two-carat diamond (Photo: Crater of Diamonds State Park)
It was a lucky day for Mr. Dean Filppula, an offshore steward from Shreveport, LA who visited the park during vacation after a rainstorm. He found “wedge-shaped light yellow stone about the size of an English pea” in the West Drain area of the park. He is calling this 2.01 Ct diamond after his mother’s initials as “Merf Diamond”.
Park interpreter Wayman Cox says Mr. Filppula was at right place at right time. It rained heavily before his visit, which washed loose soil from surface uncovering the large yellow gem. His store is very familiar to many visitors in past who have found diamonds.
Mr. Filppula found his 20th diamond, but it is largest one found so far in 2015. He is planning to sell the diamond.