Michael Dettlaff, a 12 year old boy from North Carolina, struck it rich when he discovered a 5.16 carat diamond or specifically honey brown gem, while vacationing with his family at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro AK.
“We were probably there about 10 minutes and I was looking around on the ground and found it on top,” the boy told ABC. “It was very glassy. Very smooth.” Michael named his new diamond “God’s Glory Diamond” and plans to either keep it as a souvineer or sell it depending on the diamond’s appraisal.
His discovery has been recorded as the 27th largest diamond at the state park and could be valued at over $15,000.
Michael wasn’t the first to discover a diamond at the state park, according to the park’s website the largest diamond found was the 16.37-carat Amarillo Starlight which was found in 1975. The State Park is the only one in the world that is not only open to the public, but allows the discoverers to keep their diamonds.