MURFREESBORO -- While most visitors hope to find a diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park, other minerals may look similar to the untrained eye. However, by comparing the properties of your finds to those of a diamond, you can increase your chances of having a fun and successful diamond hunt.
One mineral that is sometimes mistaken for a diamond is calcite. Calcite is a white-colored crystal that usually appears flat and blocky. It is somewhat heavy for its size and may be found near other heavy rocks and minerals, and sometimes diamonds. To the novice diamond hunter, the appearance of a nice-sized calcite crystal can be exciting.
While calcite can indicate good areas to search for diamonds, it is a much softer crystal. The best way to check the hardness of calcite or other minerals at the park is to use a pocket knife, fingernail file or other steel item for a scratch test. Diamond is the hardest known natural mineral, while calcite and other softer crystals will scratch easily with steel.
Mica is another mineral that visitors often mistake for diamond. Diamonds from the park have a brilliant luster that stands out among other rocks and minerals, and mica has a very similar-looking metallic shine. Thinking they have found "diamond dust," some visitors will painstakingly collect the tiny flakes, only to learn that they have found mica.
The best way to differentiate mica from diamond is to look at its overall shape. Mica is flat and only shines in one direction, like a mirror. Visitors often compare the flashing appearance of mica to glitter. Diamonds are usually rounded and will sparkle from many directions. When surface searching for diamonds, ignore the glittery flecks and watch for something that shines from different angles as you walk toward it. Fortunately, most mica will wash out of the screens during wet sifting and won't be found near diamonds.
Quartz is probably the mineral most mistaken for diamond by park visitors. Quartz crystals from the park are usually small, similar in size to most diamonds. They are fairly common to find and are harder than steel, so a preliminary scratch test will be inconclusive. Quartz is also shiny, and park visitors will often collect a few nice pieces in hopes that at least one is a diamond.
To tell the difference between quartz and diamond, take a closer look at the facets and luster. Diamonds from the park were partially melted during the volcanic eruption that brought them to the surface of southwest Arkansas. An unbroken diamond from the park typically has smooth, curved facets, whereas quartz is pointed and angular. A diamond's rounded surface will have a sheen similar to metal, while quartz will shine like a piece of broken glass.
If you're still uncertain about your finds after using these tips, have them checked at the Diamond Discovery Center. Our staff are trained in identifying the many rocks and minerals found here and will help you to recognize a diamond in the rough. During your next visit, put your skills to the test and see if you can spot the differences between diamonds and these other "look-a-likes."
Recent diamond finds include the following (100 points equals 1 carat):
• Aug. 7 -- Thom Bishop, Houston, 7-point yellow.
• Aug. 8 -- Thom Bishop, Houston, 3-point white.
• Aug. 9 -- Adam Hardin, Murfreesboro, 9-point white.
• Aug. 10 -- Eric Lewke, Lansing, Mich., 53-point yellow.
• Aug. 12 -- Robert Kemper, Huntsville, Ala., 30-point brown.
• Aug. 14 -- Lola Quinn, Albuquerque, N.M., 24-point white.
• Aug. 17 -- Mark Pinto and Terry Blackmon, Springfield, Mo., 11-point white.
• Aug. 18 -- Adam Hardin, Murfreesboro, 31-point white, 12-point white.
• Aug. 19 -- Brett Bigbee, Nashville, Tenn., 14-point white.
Waymon Cox is a park interpreter at Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Entertainment on 08/24/2016