Jack Pearadin, a Navy reservist, uncovered a 6.03‑carat yellow diamond in Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park on January 25, 2026, during a TikTok‑live dig with friend Michael Schumacher. The find, the largest ever documented at the park, stunned live followers as the stone emerged from a pile of gravel the pair had sifted out of the south end of the field.
Pearadin began searching the 37‑acre crater in 2013, after moving from St. Louis to Murfreesboro. Over 13 years of digging, he has recovered more than 300 diamonds and has become a regular fixture in the park's visitor log. "I started digging in 2013, hoping to strike something big," he said to the Associated Press.
The Crater of Diamonds, the only public mine in the world where visitors can keep what they find, has yielded over 37,000 stones since 1972. Park staff confirmed the diamond on February 6 after examining the specimen. The crystal is a rare hexoctahedron, a 48‑sided form that sets it apart from the usual 12‑ or 24‑faced gems found there.
Collectors estimate the stone could fetch up to $1 million, but certified appraiser Laura Stanley of Little Rock says a high‑quality six‑carat yellow diamond from the park sells for roughly $250,000. She noted that a typical 0.17‑carat specimen from the site averages $700. The final price will hinge on the diamond's clarity, cut, and buyer demand.
Pearadin and Schumacher named the stone the American Dream, a nod to the 2026 U.S. centennial and a popular 1950s hit. The diamond is now in the park's possession and pending official grading. Park officials will decide whether to auction the find or keep it for a private sale.