Guest From New York Finds 2.30 Carat Diamond At Arkansas’ Crater Of Diamonds State Park

Murfreesboro, Arkansas – A 31-year-old visitor from Manhattan, NY, has turned weeks of preparation and persistence into a once-in-a-lifetime find at the Crater of Diamonds State Park.

The Goal

• Two years ago, Micherre Fox decided she wanted a diamond for her engagement ring.

• Not just any diamond — one she found herself.

• She believed hard work, not just money, should play a role in marriage.

The Plan

• Her partner agreed to wait until she found the stone.

• After completing graduate school, she set aside a month for the search.

• Research revealed the only public diamond-hunting site in the world was in Arkansas.

The Search

• Arrived on July 8 after two weeks of preparation.

• Searched almost every day for three weeks.

• Enjoyed the park’s attractions, from the Diamond Springs Water Park to shady rest spots.

The Discovery

• On July 29, her last day, she spotted something shining on the ground in the West Drain area.

• Thought it might be a spiderweb — but the shine didn’t fade.

• Picked it up and saw it looked like a diamond.

• Park staff confirmed it was a white diamond weighing 2.30 carats.

The Diamond

• About the size of a human canine tooth.

• Smooth, rounded, with a metallic luster.

• Surface blemishes show its deep-earth origin.

• Third-largest diamond found at the park in 2025.

The Reaction

• Dropped to her knees and cried before laughing in relief.

• Named it the Fox-Ballou Diamond after her and her partner’s last names.

• Plans to have it set in her engagement ring.

Lessons for Visitors

• Diamonds can be found by anyone — sometimes right on the surface.

• Preparation and persistence help, but timing and location matter.

• Hands-on searching means getting in the dirt and staying patient.

• Park staff and fellow guests can be valuable sources of guidance.

Thinking of Visiting?

• Are you ready to spend hours searching in the field?

• Will you prepare for the physical side of the hunt?

• Can you balance the work with enjoying the park’s facilities?

At the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the next great find could be at your feet.