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Talk about a rock-solid birthday.
A girl celebrating her 7th birthday this month found a rare 2.95-carat golden brown diamond at an Arkansas state park.
Aspen Brown, of Paragould, found the valuable, pea-sized jewel during a trip to Crater of Diamonds State Park with her father and grandmother to celebrate her birthday on Sept. 1, according to Arkansas State Parks.
She was resting near a pile of large rocks atop the eroded surface of an ancient, diamond-bearing volcano when something shiny caught her eye.
“Next thing I know, she was running to me, saying ‘Dad! Dad! I found one!’” her father, Luther Brown, recalled.
Aspen hauled her loot to the park’s Diamond Discovery Center, where they confirmed that the birthday girl had indeed found a massive diamond.
To come across a gem of that size at the 37.5-acre diamond search area is an “exceptionally rare” find, Aaron Palke, a research scientist for the Gemological Institute of America, told Insider.
Most diggers — including professionals — only find diamonds throughout the park between .05 and .20 carats, roughly the size of a grain of rice.
“It’s very unusual to find a diamond like that in Arkansas,” Palke told the outlet.
Not only was it a big rock, but professionals said it was in near-perfect condition.
“Aspen’s diamond has a golden-brown color and a sparkling luster. It is a complete crystal, with no broken facets and a small crevice on one side, created when the diamond was formed,” said Waymon Cox, assistant park superintendent.
Not only was it a big rock, but professionals said it was in near-perfect condition.
“It’s certainly one of the most beautiful diamonds I’ve seen in recent years.”
But how much the rare stone is worth remains a secret.
In honor of her birthday and her incredible eye, Aspen decided to name the gem after herself.
The Aspen Diamond is the second largest found this year at the diamond-rich state park, topped only by a 3.29-carat brown stone discovered in March.
It is, however, the first large diamond registered since the the park completed an excavation project last month.
“A contracted company dug a 150-yard trench in August to help manage erosion on the north side of the search area,” said Caleb Howell, park superintendent.
“Several tons of unsearched diamond-bearing material were exposed and it’s very possible that this diamond and others were uncovered as a result.”