x
Breaking News
More () »

Nebraska man finds 2.12-carat diamond at state park in Arkansas

The 36-year-old school teacher from Nebraska found the diamond after learning about the Crater of Diamonds State Park from a co-worker.

Who says a summer vacation has to be spent at a beach when it can be finding diamonds in Arkansas instead? 

Josh Lanik, a 36-year-old teacher from Nebraska, recently visited Crater of Diamonds State Park on a family vacation and found a 2.12-carat brown diamond.

Lanik learned about the state park after a co-worker who once lived in Arkansas told him about it.

"We took the kids to look for amethyst on Canary Hill and I was walking through an area where it looked like a lot of water had washed when I saw it," Lanik said.

He was searching near the southwest edge of the park, which has a 37.5 acre diamond search area.

After being analyzed, Lanik was informed that his find was the largest diamond of the year so far.

Credit: Crater of Diamonds State Park

"Lanik's gem is about the size of a jellybean and has a dark brown color, similar to brandy," explained Waymon Cox, a park interpreter at Crater of Diamonds State Park. "It has a beautiful natural pear shape and smooth, curved facets that give the gem a metallic shine."

Lanik decided to name the diamond the 'Lanik Family Diamond' and intends to keep it for now.

Before You Leave, Check This Out