MURFREESBORO, Ark. -- A seasoned gem hunter has discovered the 35,000th diamond found at Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Scott Kreykes of Dierks, Arkansas, has been visiting the park for the past four years and has registered more than 80 diamonds he found there, according to a news release. On Sept. 6, he registered his 50th diamond of 2022, the 35,000th found and registered since the park opened in 1972.
Kreykes recently spent a day at the park sifting dirt from the East Drain of the diamond search area. He took his sifted gravel home to look through later.
"Each visitor that comes to the park is allowed to take one five-gallon bucket of sifted gravel home with them per day. Some visitors like to resift their gravel at home or wait for it to dry to look for the metallic shine of a diamond," park interpreter Tayler Markham said.
While searching through his gravel at home, Kreykes spotted a pearl-shaped diamond and excitedly called his wife over to show her. He knew the park was preparing to celebrate the 35,000th diamond find since 1972 and was hopeful that he would register the milestone gem.
As he left for the park on the morning of Sept. 6, he slipped his diamond into a glass vial and told his wife, "This could be the 35,000th diamond!"
Kreykes carried his gem to the park's Diamond Discovery Center, where staff registered it as a 3-point white diamond.
"Diamonds are weighed in points and carats. One hundred points is equal to one carat, like pennies to a dollar. Most diamonds found at the park weigh between 20 and 25 points," Markham said.
When park staff revealed that Kreykes had indeed registered the 35,000th diamond, he told them he had goosebumps.
As finder of this significant milestone, Kreykes received a free two-night stay at an Arkansas State Park, recognition from Murfreesboro officials, and a special display for his diamond and registration card donated by Sam Johnson and Caddo Trading Co.
Many people who find diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park choose to name their gems. Kreykes chose to name his jewel Leo, after his grandson.
As of Wednesday, 512 diamonds have been registered at Crater of Diamonds State Park in 2022. An average of one to two diamonds are found by park visitors each day.
Scott Kreykes of Dierks, Arkansas, found this 3-point white diamond Sept. 6, 2022, at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. The diamond was the 35,000th found and registered since the park opened in 1972. (Photo courtesy Crater of Diamonds State Park)