A lucky youngster got the birthday gift of a lifetime when she discovered a 2.95-carat golden brown diamond in Arkansas.
The budding gemologist discovered the diamond while celebrating her seventh birthday at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, according to a news release from the park.
Aspen Brown's September 1 discovery "is the second-largest registered by a park guest this year, topped only by a 3.29-carat brown diamond discovered in March," says the release.
"Brown was visiting the park with her dad and grandmother to celebrate her birthday," the release reads. "Brown picked up a gem about the size of a green pea from a pathway along the northeast side of the search area."
Park officials later confirmed that Brown had indeed discovered a diamond, the release said.
"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," Waymon Cox, assistant park superintendent, said in the release. "It's certainly one of the most beautiful diamonds I've seen in recent years."
Aspen isn't alone in her discovery: One or two visitors discover diamonds at the park each day, according to the release. Over 75,000 diamonds have been found at the site since a farmer first identified diamonds on the land.
The 37-acre field where visitors can search for treasures is the eroded surface of a volcanic crater, according to the park. In addition to diamonds, other precious gems like amethysts and garnets also occur there as a result of the site's unique geology.
