Monday, August 12, 2013

NC: He'll be the girls' best friend: 12-year-old treasure hunter unearths giant 5.16 carat DIAMOND

Lucky: 12-year-old Michael Dettlaff discovered Crater of Diamonds State Park's 27th largest diamond on July 31

Michael Dettlaff's family drove 100 miles out of their way to visit Crater of Diamonds State Park - and it was worth it.

After only 10 minutes digging for the prized gems, 12-year-old Michael unearthed one of the largest diamonds in park history. 

Michael's dad was still in the process of renting mining equipment when Michel bounded up to him with the honey-brown diamond the size of a jelly bean.

Park officials registered the 5.16 carat diamond under Michael's name of choice - the 'God's Glory Diamond' - and say it is the 27th largest diamond found there since the site became a state park in 1972.

'It is thrilling any time a child finds a diamond here at Crater of Diamonds State park,' said Park Interpreter Waymon Cox. 'Michael was excited to  have found his own diamond, as just about any boy would be, but he was absolutely awestruck when he realized the significance.'

Michael and his family were traveling from their home in Apex, North Carolina to visit relatives in Fayetteville, Arkansas when they drove 100 miles out of their way to visit Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas on July 31.  

More @ Daily Mail

2 comments:

  1. Does the state retain ownership of the diamond (because it's a state park), or does the young man get to take it with him when he and his family leave the park?

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