Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Well, it turns out that diamonds can be a boy’s best friend, too. A 12-year-old boy from North Carolina recently found this out when he entered the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. Michael Dettlaff had only been in the park minutes when the discovery was found. He told ABCNews.com, “We were probably there about 10 minutes and I was looking around on the ground and found it on top. It was very glassy. Very smooth.”
It’s not everyday that someone finds a diamond, even in a state park renown for visitors finding diamonds. When Michael was reviewing the contents of his bag, witnesses were equally shocked.
According to ABC, Michael said, “When I brought this rock out of the bag the guy who’s there, he just went bug-eyed and he said, ‘Hang on a second. I need to take this to the back room.’ So then people start coming from everywhere and they’re like, ‘Oh yeah. It’s a big diamond.’”
Michael Dettlaff was originally in Arkansas visiting family as part of his summer vacation when the decision to visit the state park was made. The diamond discovery was made on July 31st, Michael’s first venture into the park. It happened so suddenly near the initial entrance into the park that Michael’s father was still in the process of renting equipment to aid during the diamond hunting.
The light, golden brown diamond weighs in at 5.16 carats and has even been named. Michael Dettlaff calls the gem, “God’s Glory Diamond” to be remembered as a blessing.
Waymon Cox, a representative from Crater of Diamonds State Park had this to say about the incident, “It is thrilling any time a child finds a diamond here at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Michael was excited to have found his own diamond, as just about any boy would be, but he was absolutely awestruck when he realized its significance.”
The diamond has yet to be cut; however, it is estimated that this stone could be worth $15,000, which sure beats allowances for taking out the trash. It appears everyone is overjoyed at this positive news that concerns an object no bigger than a jelly bean.
What a lucky child! – 12 year old boy finds diamond the size of a jelly bean…… http://t.co/ih9zsPphCi
— Jens Hansen (@the_ringmaker) August 11, 2013