7-year-old visiting a national park finds a 2.95-carat diamond

Generic diamond in a mine.
Generic diamond in a mine. Photo credit Getty Images

One 7-year-old girl found what is supposed to be her best friend, if you believe Marilyn Monroe, as she stumbled on a 2.95-carat diamond at a national park in Arkansas.

The gem, a golden brown diamond, was discovered on the girl’s seventh birthday at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, according to a press release from the park.

The girl, Aspen Brown, was credited with making the “second-largest” discovery “registered by a park guest this year, topped only by a 3.29-carat brown diamond discovered in March,” the release said.

“Brown was visiting the park with her dad and grandmother to celebrate her birthday,” the release said. “Brown picked up a gem about the size of a green pea from a pathway along the northeast side of the search area.”

The discovery was made on Sept. 1, and since it was unearthed by Brown, park officials have confirmed that it is a diamond.

Waymon Cox, the assistant park superintendent, shared a statement in the release, saying it was “one of the most beautiful diamonds I’ve seen in recent years.”

“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,” Cox said.

According to the park, over 75,000 diamonds have been found at the site since a farmer first found diamonds on the land. Since it’s become a national park, one to two visitors find a diamond every day, park officials said.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images