A seasoned gem hunter was in "complete shock" after unearthing a rare 6.03-carat yellow diamond at an Arkansas state park during an icy weekend search — with the stunning moment broadcast live to viewers on social media. 

The canary-colored stone ranks as the fourth-largest yellow diamond and the 22nd-largest diamond of any color registered since the grounds became an official state park in 1972, Arkansas State Parks said in a news release.

Jack Pearadin, 35, of Nashville, Arkansas, and his friend Michael Schumacher, 43, of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, have visited Crater of Diamonds State Park countless times over the years and have found many diamonds. Yet nothing prepared the two longtime companions for the treasure hidden inside a bucket of gravel on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Jack Pearadin and Michael Schumacher display the 6.03-carat yellow diamond found at Crater of Diamonds State Park. (Arkansas State Parks)

The discovery unfolded under challenging, frigid conditions after a severe winter storm dumped more than an inch of ice on the park and surrounding area just two days prior.

"Everything was frozen! I was trying to bring out stuff to wash when I could," Pearadin said.

Pearadin was streaming on TikTok Live, demonstrating to an online audience how to process concentrated dirt that he and Schumacher had dug from the south end of the park's search area in late December.

"I was flipping gravel centers and showing people how we do it," he said.

After flipping four piles of gravel from his screen, Pearadin began walking away when a sudden reflection stopped him in his tracks.

"I was about 8 feet away, and for some reason I turned back and saw it glowing from the center of the pile," Pearadin said.

On the live broadcast, viewers could hear Pearadin shouting, "Oh my God!" as he rinsed the gravel in a bucket, catching a radiant glimmer from the depths. Approaching the pile, Pearadin immediately recognized the characteristic luster of a diamond, though he initially underestimated its size.  

"I went to get it out with my spoon, and the spoon wouldn't go underneath it," he explained. "I had to go almost to the bottom of the pile to pull it out, it was so big. I was shaking!"  

Schumacher, who had already returned to Wisconsin before the storm, watched the incredible discovery unfold on the livestream. He recalled an earlier remark between them that now seemed prophetic: "Jack was like, 'Sorry, Mike, I haven't gone through our concentrate yet,' and I told him, 'Don't worry about it,'" Schumacher recounted.  

Pearadin brought the gem to the park on Friday, Feb. 6, where staff officially authenticated and weighed the specimen.

According to Assistant Superintendent Waymon Cox: "This diamond is absolutely stunning to see! It has a very symmetrical, rounded surface and appears to be a hexoctahedron, a 48-sided crystal. The shape is fairly rare, as most Crater diamonds tend to have 12 or 24 faces."  

About the size of a gumdrop with a glowing canary yellow hue, the gem is the 27th diamond registered at the park in 2026.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Nathan Renfro, a senior manager at the Gemological Institute of America, highlighted the sheer uniqueness of finds from the 37-acre eroded volcanic crater, where everyday members of the public are permitted to keep what they find.

"It's a pretty remarkable operation that that's available to the public," Renfro told the AP. "Most diamond mines are super high security."

As is common practice among visitors to the park, Pearadin and Schumacher chose to name their find: the "Pearadin Schumacher American Dream Diamond." The moniker was inspired by The Chords' 1954 classic doo-wop tune "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)" and the milestone of discovering it during the nation's 250th anniversary year.

Pearadin told the AP that he hopes to sell the "American Dream" online and split the profits evenly with Schumacher. Although Pearadin claimed that collectors told him it could be valued at upwards of $1 million, gem appraisers told the AP that a stone of that size and origin would more likely sell for around $250,000.

Yet for Pearadin, the core joy remains grounded in the spirit of the search itself.

"I personally was never looking for this — just enjoy the experience," he said, according to park officials. "I was never expecting this diamond; it's amazing to find it!"

Schumacher echoed that sentiment, noting the timeless appeal of the pursuit.

"The thought of being able to find something special like this is always a great dream to chase. It's something I'll do until I absolutely can't do it anymore," he said.

The first diamonds produced from the crater were found by farmer John Huddleston in 1906. Since then, more than 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at the location, which became an Arkansas state park in 1972. The site also yielded the largest diamond ever discovered in the United States — the 40.23-carat "Uncle Sam," found in 1924 and now exhibited at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

For two treasure-hunting friends, however, a frozen winter afternoon proved that patience, companionship and a humble bucket of gravel can still produce an unforgettable American dream.

Subscribe to The Bright Story and step into a world of hope, wonder, and humanity at its best. With unlimited access, discover powerful personal journeys, heartwarming family and animal stories, incredible discoveries, and the everyday kindness that makes life brighter.

#diamond#treasurehunters#worth