6.03 Carat Yellow Diamond Found in Arkansas

 

A remarkable 6.03-carat yellow diamond discovered by an amateur diamond hunter at Arkansas’ famous Crater of Diamonds State Park has attracted international attention, with its finder claiming that collectors have suggested the stone could be worth as much as US$1 million.

The diamond was discovered by Jack Pearadin, a US Navy reservist who has been searching the park since 2013. Pearadin has reportedly recovered more than 300 diamonds during his years of searching and eventually moved to nearby Murfreesboro to live closer to the diamond field.

The latest discovery was made while Pearadin was processing a bucket of gravel during a TikTok livestream in January. He spotted the unusual yellow crystal among the gravel and quickly realised he had found something considerably larger and more distinctive than his previous discoveries.

Pearadin has named the stone the American Dream Diamond.

$1 Million Claim Under Scrutiny

The potential value of the diamond has generated considerable interest, but the US$1 million figure should be treated as a claim rather than an established valuation.

According to the Associated Press, Little Rock based certified gem appraiser Laura Stanley provided a substantially lower preliminary estimate of approximately US$250,000. Her estimate was based on the reported size and quality of the diamond rather than a physical examination and laboratory assessment of the stone.

This illustrates an important point in the diamond market: carat weight alone does not determine value.

Colour, clarity, crystal structure, transparency, fluorescence, proportions, potential for cutting, market demand and, ultimately, the quality and rarity of the finished polished diamond can all have a significant impact on value.

Until the rough stone has been properly examined, documented and assessed, its ultimate market value remains uncertain.

An Unusual Crystal

The diamond is also attracting attention because of its distinctive natural crystal form.

Park officials have described the stone as a 48-sided hexoctahedron, a relatively uncommon crystal shape compared with the 12- and 24-faced diamond crystals more commonly recovered at the site.

For gemmologists and diamond specialists, the natural morphology of a rough diamond can provide valuable information about how the crystal formed and how it may respond to cutting.

The challenge for a cutter is balancing the preservation of weight and unusual characteristics against the potential beauty and marketability of the polished stone.

One of the World’s Most Famous Diamond Fields

The discovery was made at Crater of Diamonds State Park, near Murfreesboro, Arkansas, one of the very few locations in the world where members of the public can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source and keep what they find.

Visitors pay an admission fee and search the approximately 37-acre diamond-bearing field on a finders-keepers basis.

The field represents the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic crater, bringing diamonds from deep within the Earth to the surface over geological time.

Since becoming a state park in 1972, more than 37,000 diamonds have been registered by visitors.

The Uncle Sam Diamond

The most famous discovery from the site is the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam Diamond, found in 1924 during the site’s commercial mining era. It remains the largest diamond ever discovered in the United States.

Other significant discoveries include the 16.37-carat Amarillo Starlight, the 8.52-carat Esperanza Diamond, and a 7.64 carat brown diamond discovered by a French tourist in 2023.

The American Dream Diamond now joins this growing list of notable Arkansas discoveries.

A Discovery Shared

Pearadin discovered the 6.03-carat stone while searching alongside fellow diamond hunter Michael Schumacher. Pearadin has said he intends to share any proceeds from the discovery with Schumacher.

Whether the American Dream Diamond ultimately proves to be a US$1 million stone or something considerably less valuable, its discovery demonstrates why natural diamonds continue to fascinate collectors and the public.

A diamond’s journey from a rough crystal formed deep within the Earth to a polished gem is one of nature’s most extraordinary processes. In rare cases, the rough itself can be remarkable enough to become a collector’s piece.

For the American Dream Diamond, the next stage will be determining exactly what this unusual 6.03-carat natural yellow diamond is and what the market is ultimately prepared to pay for it.

Source: DCLA

Bonhams to Offer 32.20 Carat Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond in New York Auction

 

A remarkable 32.20 carat Fancy Intense Yellow diamond is expected to headline Bonhams’ Exceptional Jewels auction in New York on 8 June, carrying a pre-sale estimate of US$350,000 to US$550,000.

The auction, which will be held at Bonhams’ newly opened headquarters in Steinway Hall at 111 West 57th Street, will feature an impressive selection of coloured diamonds, exceptional white diamonds, rare coloured gemstones and signed jewellery from some of the world’s most prestigious maisons.

The leading lot is an 18 carat white gold ring centred on a cushion-shaped 32.20 carat Fancy Intense Yellow diamond graded VS2 clarity. The diamond is surrounded by pavé-set round brilliant cut diamonds and originates from the collection of noted philanthropist Glorya Kaufman, whose contributions to the arts included the establishment of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.

Among the most significant white diamond offerings is a platinum ring featuring an 11.20 carat emerald cut diamond graded E colour and VS1 clarity. The stone carries an estimate of US$250,000 to US$350,000 and comes from the collection of luxury retail pioneer Linda Dresner.

Bonhams will also present an important platinum ring by Harry Winston showcasing a 7.08 carat cushion cut Colombian emerald flanked by tapered baguette cut diamonds. The emerald ring is expected to realise between US$250,000 and US$350,000.

Further highlighting the auction’s strong coloured diamond offering is an 8.23 carat cushion-shaped faint pink diamond ring. The internally flawless diamond is mounted in 18 carat white and pink gold and accented with trapezoid-shaped and round brilliant cut pink and white diamonds. It carries an estimate of US$180,000 to US$280,000.

Exceptional Coloured Gemstones Feature Prominently

Bonhams has placed particular emphasis on rare coloured gemstones, led by a striking necklace centred on a 5.02 carat unheated Burmese ruby. The oval-shaped ruby is surrounded by alternating baguette and round brilliant cut diamonds and suspended from a graduated diamond necklace containing approximately 39 carats of diamonds. The piece is estimated at US$100,000 to US$150,000.

Among the standout gemstone lots from the Glorya Kaufman collection is a necklace featuring a 30.61 carat oval-shaped Paraíba-type tourmaline from Mozambique. Mounted in a distinctive 14 carat gold hexagonal frame and suspended from a gold link chain, the necklace is expected to achieve between US$150,000 and US$250,000.

Another notable offering is an impressive platinum necklace by J.E. Caldwell set with step-cut multicoloured sapphires and a central zircon, accented by marquise and round brilliant cut diamonds. Accompanying AGL reports identify the four principal sapphires as originating from Sri Lanka, with three displaying no evidence of heat treatment. The necklace contains an estimated 100 to 120 carats of sapphires and is valued at US$150,000 to US$250,000.

Completing the coloured gemstone highlights is a Bulgari necklace estimated at US$125,000 to US$225,000. The design features oval-shaped multicoloured sapphires separated by pairs of round brilliant cut diamonds and suspends a detachable pendant centred on a 24.10 carat pear-shaped yellow sapphire of Sri Lankan origin.

The sale demonstrates continued strength in the market for important coloured diamonds, unheated gemstones and signed high jewellery, with collectors showing increasing interest in rare stones accompanied by notable provenance and prestigious brand associations.

Source: DCLA

Diavik recovers 158.20 carat ‘miracle of nature’ diamond

One of the largest gem-quality yellow diamonds ever discovered in Canada, has been unearthed from Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine.

The 158.20-carat rough diamond is one of only five yellow diamonds weighing more than 100 carats ever unearthed at Diavik in its 22-year history, stated a release.

Diavik’s production primarily consists of white gem quality diamonds, with less than one percent of its production yielding rare yellow diamonds.

Diavik Diamond Mines Chief Operating Officer Matt Breen stated: “This two-billion-year old natural Canadian diamond is a miracle of nature and testament to the skill and fortitude of all the men and women who work in Diavik’s challenging sub-Arctic environment.”

Patrick Coppens, sales and marketing GM for Rio Tinto’s diamonds business, stated: “The beauty and purity of Diavik diamonds continues to excite passions amongst all who see them and we look forward to following the onward journey of this very special diamond.”