Man stumbles onto rare diamond treasure during Arkansas park trip with family: 'Knew it was different'

Arkansas State Parks recently shared news about the find, which was made at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Pike County. Forty-one-year-old James Ward unearthed the 2.09-carat brown diamond on Dec. 30.

Visiting the park was the 7-year-old's idea, according to Elizabeth Ward. 

"I sent the link to James, and he's like, 'Oh wait, that's only like six hours away. We can go!'" added Elizabeth Ward.

The gem, named the Ward Diamond, was found on the family's second day of searching. 

The first day was long and cold, but 9-year-old Adrian encouraged the family to come back the next day - when the gem was found.

"I didn't know what it was, but I knew it was different than everything else I had found," said the dad. 

Waymon Cox, an assistant park superintendent, compared the diamond to a corn kernel.

"[It has] a dark yellowish-brown hue and a beautiful, metallic luster [that's] characteristic of all Crater diamonds," said Cox.

"Most are chipped, broken or include flaws from the immense geological forces they endured," Cox said.

"Given its current size, you can imagine how much bigger Mr. Ward's diamond might have been as a complete crystal." 

What lies ahead for the diamond is unknown - and Ward said he's open to selling it or keeping it.

"I'll have to see how much it's worth first," he said. 

Ward also encouraged fellow park visitors not to give up on their first day of digging.

"Listen to your kids about their dreams and what they want to do!" his wife added. 

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

"Our primary training involves properly identifying and registering diamonds for guests who find them," the official said. 

Ward's discovery adds to a growing list of substantial gems found by visitors at Crater of Diamonds State Park.