Many are familiar with the popular diamond-bearing grounds in Murpheesboro, Arkansas, but there is a rather unmentioned location that is even more plentiful with diamonds: The Stateline Kimberlite District.
This region spans across the Colorado and Wyoming border and has only been prospecting since the 1970s. Since then, it has been referred to as the nation’s most productive diamond district. Kelsey Lake Mine, a diamond mine that operated from 1996-2001, proved just how prosperous this district is. The mine boasts a whopping total of eight kimberlite pipes, or channels formed from volcanic activity that often contain diamonds.
That Camping Couple quickly packed up our belongings and headed north once we learned diamonds can be found right in Colorado! We found a beautiful, free campsite located along a flowing creek in the Cherokee State Wildlife Area. After researching the area, we learned that George Creek has localities inside of Forest Service land, indicating public access. George Creek Mine, another now unactive diamond mine, resides directly above this creek. “Placer diamonds” are those that are stream-deposited, and we were determined to find one.
Three days were spent sluicing for diamonds. We fortunately found numerous pieces of garnets which kept us optimistic. Garnets are a good sign of diamonds because they also form in kimberlite pipes.
The biggest challenge we faced was the difficulty of identifying a rough diamond! We only had pictures from the internet to reference, which vary a tremendous amount. Rough diamonds come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes. An octahedron may be relatively easy to identify due to its distinct shape, but imagine identifying an irregular shaped diamond! It was a bit frustrating, but we came to a positive solution of keeping anything “diamond-like” or gemmy.
Right Specimen: Image of Our Possible Diamond
Right Specimen: Image of Our Possible Diamond
Although we somewhat regret not keeping more look-alikes on day one, we began keeping more of our findings by day two and three. We didn’t want to risk throwing an irregular-shaped diamond back into the creek! Better to be safe than sorry.
We ended up with about 20-30 specimens, hopeful that at least one of them will turn out to be a diamond! For now, we are playing the waiting game until we purchase a diamond tester or visit a reliable jeweler. (Be sure to stay tuned, as we will be announcing if we found one!)
Diamond mining was a blast, and we fully intend to return to this area to give it another shot! Colorado is loaded with tons of amazing gems and minerals. Who would have thought that diamonds made the list? If you want to find diamonds for free, there is a good chance you just might at the Stateline Kimberlite District.
-Frank and Kyndall Stallings, Creators of That Camping Couple
Did you know that Colorado had diamonds? Have you ever found a diamond (anywhere)? Let us know in the comments below!
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