Maybe reality TV is good for something after all.
A Louisiana resident found a 2.89 ct. white diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Ark., after his mother-in-law urged a visit after seeing it on a reality show.
The triangle-shape diamond is said to have a metallic appearance and is “the size of an English pea,” according to park interpreter Margi Jenks.
The park, open since 1972, lets visitors search for diamonds, as well as amethyst, peridot, and quartz, which have also been discovered there. The park’s policy is “finders keepers.” Park staff provides free identification and valuation of the diamonds.
Brandon Kalenda, finder of the stone, was inspired to visit the park after his mother-in-law watched a segment on it on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting. She convinced the family to stop by the park, and Kalenda found the diamond after only 20 minutes of searching.
Kandela named his stone the Jax Diamond after his infant son, Jackson, and told park staff he plans to keep the diamond.
The Jax Diamond is the 47th diamond registered by a park visitor this year and the fourth diamond weighing more than a carat found since the middle of February.
The Jax Diamond
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