Overview

• Park staff verified the oblong stone found on Sept. 13 as a 2.79-carat brown diamond discovered by Raynae Madison’s family from Cookson, Oklahoma.
• The group located it on the north side of the 37.5-acre search field near the Prospector Trailhead while sifting dirt from several buckets.
• The family named it the William Diamond for Madison’s nephew, and officials say it ranks third among diamonds registered at the park this year, topping a 2.30-carat July find.
• Arkansas State Parks reports 403 diamonds registered so far in 2025, including four stones over two carats, reflecting a strong year for large finds.
• Park interpreter Emma O’Neal notes brown diamonds derive their color from plastic deformation, as the park’s all-time tally since 1972 now exceeds 75,000 stones.