The Ward family of Texas followed Siri to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, after their 7-year-old asked to go mining for crystals. On December 30, James Ward found a 2.09-carat brown diamond, later confirmed at the park’s Diamond Discovery Center. Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox described the stone as roughly the size of a corn kernel with a dark yellowish-brown hue. James named it the "Ward Diamond" and said he may decide whether to sell it after learning its value.
Siri Leads Texas Family to 2.09-Carat 'Ward Diamond' at Arkansas State Park
Arkansas State Parks (2)James Ward pictured alongside a 2.09-carat brown diamond
A Texas family’s weekend trip to Arkansas turned into a once-in-a-lifetime discovery after Apple’s virtual assistant helped them find a public diamond field. On December 30, high school teacher James Ward uncovered a 2.09-carat brown diamond while visiting the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro with his wife, Elizabeth, and their sons Adrian, 9, and Austin, 7.
Arkansas State ParksThe 2.09-carat brown diamond
How Siri Helped
The trip began earlier in December when seven-year-old Austin asked if there was anywhere nearby they could mine for crystals. The family asked Siri for local mining locations and found the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Elizabeth sent the link to James and the family drove about six hours to the park, arriving on December 29.
Arkansas State ParksJames Ward holding the diamond
The Discovery
After searching for about four hours in cold conditions on their first day and nearly calling it quits, they returned the next day. While sifting soil with his fingers near the park's 37.5-acre search area, James felt a small, metallic-looking crystal.
Arkansas State ParksJames Ward holding the diamond
"I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it was different than everything else I had found," James said.
They placed the find in a paper sack with other rocks and brought it to the park’s Diamond Discovery Center, where staff confirmed the stone was a 2.09-carat diamond.
Arkansas State ParksThe 2.09-carat brown diamond
About the Stone
Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox described the gem as "about the size of a corn kernel, with a dark yellowish-brown hue and a beautiful, metallic luster characteristic of all Crater diamonds." Cox explained that these diamonds formed deep in the Earth’s upper mantle and were brought to the surface by an ancient volcanic pipe. Many Crater diamonds show chips, breaks or internal flaws from the extreme geological forces they endured, suggesting James’s stone may once have been part of a larger crystal.
Name, Plans and Advice
James honored his family by naming the find the "Ward Diamond." When asked whether he would sell or keep the gem, he replied, "No idea. I’ll have to see how much it’s worth first." He urged future prospectors to be patient: "You can stumble upon a diamond in any place or time. Don’t give up on the first day!" Elizabeth added, "Listen to your kids about their dreams and what they want to do!"
Park Statistics
The park reported that James’s find was one of five diamonds found on the surface of the search area in December. By the end of 2025 the park had registered 540 diamonds for the year, and since the Crater of Diamonds became an Arkansas state park in 1972, visitors have unearthed more than 35,000 diamonds.
Where to Visit: Crater of Diamonds State Park is open to the public and allows visitors to keep anything they find, making it a rare and family-friendly destination for hands-on gem hunting.
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