Crater of Diamonds State Park Tips, and Tricks: Beginners Guide To Hunting For Diamonds In Arkansas

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Was the video helpful? Did we leave anything out? Any tips for miners heading down there? Let us know!

[@TheArkansasDiamondMiner]

Tweezers will not grip the surface of a diamond well because they are so smooth and hard. A diamond can slip from them and go airborne. Usually, it is recommended to scoop them out of the gravel with a spoon or tip of a pocket knife.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you for letting us all know that!

[@pilomilo8542]

Can you help me please may friend

[@homesteadaquarius]

Good job, I am thinking of trip there and have been watching a few videos. This helps!

[@homesteadaquarius]

@@TheArkansasDiamondMiner great tip!

[@bobthompson4319]

For surface searching I'd take a spray bottle of water or maybe one of the really small weed sprayers so you can spray suspect things to help you see diamonds easily.

[@cherylgrant4668]

Recently I decided to make a bucket list. Found out I'm in congestive heart failure, and decided to enjoy life a lot more. Couldn't think of what I wanted to do other than swimming with dolphins. Then out of no where I came across your video. I now have something else I'm more than interested in doing and am planning to go hopefully within the next 6 - 7 months (spring of 2022). Thank you and your Mrs for this, maybe I'll get to meet you personally while I'm there. On a scale of 1 - 5, I give your video a 9.2, only because id like to see a pt 2.

[@roseawen5961]

My family is headed to Crater of Diamonds in March. My son is 11 and we are taking him and his friend. Thank you for the helpful video.

[@Ironman829]

Did you find anything?

[@jjeyeonthesky1160]

Hi, just curious how your trip worked out if you went?

[@andreaj7623]

I really appreciate you guys taking time time to make this video. I'm planning a trip with my kids (our very first visit) soon and knowing this bit of information is definitely gonna help make the trip more enjoyable! I'll be buying some buckets, shovels and supplies this week :) Thanks!

[@trishcosey5026]

I appreciate your down to earth way of explaining things (my husband likes to watch videos with WAY too much...excitement, and I can't take it any more!) Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you for the compliment! We're glad to be helpful. I understand what you mean. I like the energy some people bring, but sometimes they get a bit too over the top. :) Are you taking a trip to do some diamond mining soon? If so, best of luck!!

[@jaydonosborne398]

This video helps AMAZINGLY! This is everything I wanted to know about! Great job you guys!

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you so much! Glad we were able to help!

[@JacquelinMédina-v3r]

Thank you very group. I'm very happy about your description of the park. I love the informations and I hope to be there very soon. I'll post my diamonds when I get them.❤

[@jacksprat9972]

I'm watching all these videos on Crater of Diamonds b/c I'd like to go there. Thanks, the video was great it and looks like you had fun!!!

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

I hope you get to make it there! We did have a lot of fun and it is a very unique experience for sure. Most of the people there, the visitors, the regulars, the park staff are really fantastic and make the experience even better!

[@SonandFriend]

This video is the best I have found so far! Thank you two!

[@juliawillis2352]

The video supported my family very much! We really appreciate your work in your video!

[@OldSusannah1]

This was fantastic, well put together, highly-organised and fun. Can't wait to visit!

[@deneicetabachki7945]

You and your wife are amazing can’t wait to go, information is so essential when gem hunting. Great job thanks 🌻

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you so much! We wish you the best of luck in finding something shiny when you head down!!

[@ericv2805]

Thank you for the over view! I learned a lot. There was a lot more to it than I expected, and now I’m even more excited.

[@Stl4ever9558]

Great video, Wife and I are going next weekend. Born and raised in st louis, GO BLUES. now let's find some DIAMONDS. :)

[@KolinBurmaster]

Outstanding information! Thanks for the video!!

[@TROUBADUO]

Hey there! We love the Diamond Park! Been there once and hope to make it back this year!! We will be surface searching the next time! We found y'all on Lucky Dawg's Page!! New Supporters here! Bless y'all on your Journey!!!! ☮

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Ir really is such a wonderful place! We're so happy to meet you guys and appreciate the support. We'll check out your channel too, we love new friends!!

[@ashrobj07]

This video was so informative! This is one of the first videos I have watched & I'm glad I did. We're going in October. This looks so fun!

[@deetngator1624]

This is a great part of my bucket list for years. My Aunt Judy wanted to go but never made it

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Very sorry to hear about your aunt. We sincerely hope you find your way down to the crater and have an amazing time. It is such a great place with a great world wide community of people.

[@lilprincesstaryn]

Great video! We are going in October for my sons birthday! This is the best video I’ve seen! I appreciate all the information!

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

What a great birthday destination! Thanks for the compliment, we're just happy we can pass on what we learned from so many wonderful and helpful people. The Crater of Diamonds community is AMAZING!

[@GoldenPenniesProspecting]

Excellent video! My daughter and I are headed there this April and your tips and techniques will definitely be utilized. Keep up the great videos!

[@jimhuntsinger4275]

Appreciate the video and your styles. Prepared and to the point! Thanks

[@tokyojapan6734]

Great video!!! It looks fun!!!

[@NUGGETSHOOTER]

Cool video and information, I have this on my bucket list

[@Miss449686]

Thanks for the info -- hope you find a diamond on your next trip !!

[@cjpham6614]

Very helpful video. Thanks for posting it.

[@Experiment_Nation]

You deserve way more attention! Watching the video till the end and commenting to help you grow!

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you so much!

[@Experiment_Nation]

@@BlackberryHillHouse Welcomed…I always watch it till the end to enjoy it to the fullest ..and let me know what would your thoughts be regarding my last video…I would really appreciate some feedback on that since I am at the first steps of putting it together.

[@homesteadaquarius]

You did a great job helping to know more. Magnetic Garnets is a new one for me! Thank you.

[@debramatthews8333]

Thanks. So helpful. Needed a video that was quick and but had quality also.

[@drcustomblades2984]

Great Video!! Thanks for the helpful advice!

[@nomana60]

I've watched a few videos and yours was very good and informative!

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you! We're so glad we were able to be helpful. Hopefully you check out some of the other videos from the regulars and get some good in depth info! They just plowed the park up and there are some good videos starting to come out about that!

[@vanceadolph3116]

I made a great bucket wagon out of a jogger baby stroller. Just cut out seat parts that you do not need and place a wide board to hold buckets and your ice chest. The three-wheel jogger is lightweight and very easy to maneuver on the dirt walking track and also around the field. Mine had a nice tray on top to hold my drink and tools. You can usually find a decent used one at a thrift store for about ten bucks.

[@juanrendon8165]

This was great!!heading up thier next Monday.👍👍👍

[@sidneylawson7767]

Hi. Just someone with general interest. I had noted Ivin’s mining videos. You did a great job introducing the park. Good background. Nicely presented. Very interesting. Thank you.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Hi! Thanks so much for the feedback. Very glad to be helpful! It's a great experience if you ever get the chance!

[@pamelatabar3669]

Excellent video! First one I've seen that showed what the field looks like, so I could decide which type of cart to bring!

[@deborahdesanto2313]

I enjoyed your're video very much I learned a lot from you guys, good luck to you guys. 👋😊

[@C_W98]

Great video for this diamond searching newbie! We hope to make a trip out there with our boys.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you!

[@ralphwatson7036]

I've been to the park many times without much information. I wish I had had your video when I started. Thanks for taking time to make it. 👍👍

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you. We're so glad it was helpful. It really can get overwhelming and we felt we "wasted" a good chunk of time mining until we ran into some really great people that took time to teach us some things. We're just paying it forward because the CoD community overall is so helpful and nice !

[@sam-gz1ql]

Older and Wiser not sure I would describe the cod community as helpful and nice

[@southerntracecamping5061]

Great Video. It will help a bunch. We will be there in two weeks and spend three days at the state park. Your video gave me a good idea on what to expect. Thanks again. Happy hunting.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you! So glad we could be helpful. We hope you enjoy your time there, it is such a wonderful place!! Happy hunting!

[@EddieSchirmer]

oh, by the way, the screens we use are the kind that can fit inside of a 5 gallon bucket so we can west sift directly into the buckets. just filling them up int the wash basins with water, then we just go Nuts. we have gone form opening time to closing time, or 8 hours, for two whole days, and washed about 40+ whole buckets worth. possibly found at least one diamond, and that was our 5th trip ever, and our 3rd with our current set up. so basically, our screens go into the bucket, and we wash the raw dirt into the 1/4 mesh. 2 buckets at a time. then, when the 1/4 mesh+ stuff is gone through, or tossed to one side since a diamond that size woudl be very easy to see, we process the +1/8 mesh stuff, and usually end up with maybe 1 full 5 gallon bucket of minus 1/8 mesh material, including the silts that end up going through the 20 mesh Saruca. ive sometimes had centers over 6-8 Inches wide, and even having what is called the "salt and pepper" look with very tiny black crystals of "something" i dont remember the name of lol. in any case, we tend to end up after each day, about one to two gallons of concentrates. which is probably excessive in that we do very economic scoops of those centers. but, after the second day i tend to stick both cuts into a garret Super Sluice pan so i can dry them out while we head on home, and i can go through it once over or so. i actually found an incredibly cool method of drying them out, by using an old Metal gold pan with my Saruca screen upside down on top of that, and just a hair dryer haha... it made a slight mess with super small dust and such, but i doubt it would move the diamonds around, but it worked like a charm to quickly dry the concentrates one we got home. then, i use a smaller plastic gold-pan with a small amount of material at a time to look through every single particle that passes by in sight. ironically, i found a diamond after doing a side-tap on the top of the pan, which caused heavy materials to come up to the top of the pile, and it popped right up to the top and i just about fell over with excitement at finding it. it shone in the flashlight i was using, and it was smooth and slippery like the descriptions of them say they woudl be. i woudl love to go back tot he mine, but it may have to wait till next year of course. but im wanting to design a 5 gallon capacity shaker screen i could mechanical shake with a hand crank so i can do a primary processing of the 20 mesh+ stuff, and only Saruca once that screen is full of silt-less material, and then maybe flipping that with a metal flap on the top to press and contain the material since it woudl be a lot of weight to try and flip it normally... but then, just scoop up the top 2-3 inches of material out of that, to work again later, or at least, thats my thought in what i woudl like to do to get to 100 buckets washed in a single 8 hours period haha...

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Oh wow!!

[@RaquelRCruz]

Thank you so much for this video. It helped answer most of the questions I had in mind to ask. Hope you continue posting more videos like this. My family & I are thinking of planning a vacation to go down there & search for diamonds.

[@selwynbeck2356]

Thanks for the very informative video

[@jandjprospecting7711]

Thanks for doing this video. My family and I are planning on going g down there sometime. You answered a bunch of questions I had.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

You're very welcome! Hopefully we'll see you on the FB group soon. There's always good and updated information there and the community is so nice!

[@jandjprospecting7711]

@@BlackberryHillHouse I didn't catch the Fb group name. I would love to join.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Here is the link: facebook.com/groups/140545677688 The Group name is: Crater of Diamonds State Park

[@amiragedance8877]

Thank you! That’s a great overview and it is greatly appreciated

[@ZzzMajinzzZ]

Great video! Thank you for the clear information!

[@Ghost_Spider_Go]

Very helpful! One day i will go to hunt diamonds and i will remember this video. :)

[@369PennState]

Great video! Thank you!

[@zakariazaki7513]

Thanks for video keep going 🤠 greeting from Morocco

[@shannonburns7119]

I enjoyed your video very much. I metal detect alot and use a loop to look at coins i find. I have the loop that has the flash liight and black liight. I have always wondered what the black light was for.. i never knew it was for diamonds and they would glow blew. I will definitely be using it on the rings i find when detecting. As for the park information . Your choice to do a video for ones like me considering to visit the park some day and what to expect and make the most of a 1st visit was very generous thoughtful and helpful. Thank you very much.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Super happy you enjoyed it and found it helpful! Katie and Mal love to metal detect and both are really excited to be able to have more opportunities to do so. The park is a unique experience and I hope you go check it out if you get the opportunity. Thank you so much for watching and dropping us a comment!

[@sharondelascasas5214]

Thanks for your tips. I have been to the park twice but did not wash the gravel properly. Will do so next time.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

You're very welcome. The park regulars are so good at it and all of them we talked to were so nice and helpful! Hopefully our tips help next time and if you get a chance to talk to one of the regulars, do so!

[@1979RoadFan]

Thanks for the video. I am planning a trip in April. I hope to camp there :-).

[@acash20004]

Would love to see a good individual video on the other stones and gems found there

[@smcdaniel99]

This is some great info. We've never been diamond hunting and this is a good training guide.

[@jennaknight8863]

Thanks for making this video. Ive never been mining in AK before and I'm currently planning a family vacation

[@laven111]

This is a great video . Thank You very much

[@TheArkansasDiamondMiner]

Very good video! This a great source for anyone planning a trip to the Crater of Diamonds state park! I also enjoyed your video of the Crater of Diamonds camp site, good information for anyone planning to camp during their visit.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thanks man! I love the info you put out on your videos. Wish we'd have run into you down there!

[@TheArkansasDiamondMiner]

@@BlackberryHillHouse If you are ever back at the mine please let me know!

[@rromero1318]

Well explained video, thumbs ups!

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you!

[@spinningandwinningslotswit5241]

Hey Guys great video, old treasure hunter too. Thanks, I clicked on that bell....

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thanks and glad to have you here! Planning on going to the crater?

[@robertob4524]

Great info thank you.

[@smmydavis]

Do you need all nine sifting pans?

[@RockHunterMark]

thanks for the insights, rock on

[@scienzchic1]

WOW a Petrified bug head! That is really kind of cool actually.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

So cool! We're hoping to get an entomologist look at it!

[@bobthompson4319]

In Arizona if you set your sheet in the sun 5-10 minutes and its dry any longer and it might turn to dust. Lol

[@NewLife-qj9mx]

Awsome video, thank you 👍

[@EddieSchirmer]

my dad and i use those hook straps that can stretch to secure to our cart, that can double as a dirt or bucket hauler. we try to fill 2 buckets at a time, and work them through two main classification steps... a 1/4 and 1/8 mesh, and work a 20 mesh Saruca. im brainstorming an idea to do a bulk classification and concentrating step to work an entire 5 gallon bucket of the minus 1.8 mesh stuff, so i dont have ti spend the entire time using the Saruca, and only use that for final concentration...

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

That's a really good idea! I hope you figure out how to make it work for you!!

[@DiamondMinerIvins]

Congrats on the 200 Subs!!

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thanks! Been slow but steady. We appreciate every single viewer and subscriber!

[@MattyMosArcade]

I found my way to the right spot. LGB!!

[@PeacefulPariah]

I'm not really a hip dude, and I've been seeing LGB everywhere, what does it mean? I've gone over it in my head a million times and I just can't come up with anything. My guess is that it's somebody's initials but I'm not sure.

[@berniebaker2698]

@@PeacefulPariah Let’s Go Blues!!! As she is wearing a Blues shirt in the video. It’s a St Louis thing

[@birdmarsh5517]

What size screens are best? Thanks! 💎

[@guthriemaier]

What size screens did you use for wet sifting?

[@wandanorthern8706]

I just saw your videos very informative I appreciate that when it seems I was wondering is overall if you could give a roundabout figure about how much it would cost totally hotel and gas and I'm coming from California to so but how much it would cost approximately how much would I need to make a trip say for three to four days at the park including Hotel blah blah blah thank you for your video I'll be looking forward to the next one

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thanks for watching! Costs can vary quite a bit but lets see if we can get a roundabout figure on 3 days of digging at the park, 4 nights of lodging nearby: Park Admission: $30 (10/day) Equipment Rental $60 (~20/day) Lodging $300 (avg 75/night) Gas $400 ish round trip depending on where you are and what you drive Food $80 ($20/day?) Looks like $1000 is a good guess for a 3 day/4 night trip from CA if you're driving. You could find cheaper lodging options I'm sure. The camping around town if fantastic if you're into that. Join the FB group linked in the description and ask around for the best deals on lodging and stuff. People are so super helpful there! I hope you get to go, it's so much fun!

[@aliced7505]

@@BlackberryHillHouse My first time here. You are so darned helpful to everyone. What good folks you are.

[@hshadowens9695]

Great video please update that you cannot get in in the afternoon and then return the next day on the same team does it matter what time you show up it’s $10 a day per day per day whether you’re there one hour or eight hours

[@kenrussell1093]

You guys made a great video, explaining the things I need to know in terms that a newb can understand. Now, I have a question. My 9 year old son,, my dad and I are planning on going in about a month, and I am a bit concerned because due to a back injury, my dad has a bit of difficulty with balance, and a slight bit of an endurance problem. Are there any handicap accomodations, to get out to a spot to dig, or is it all walking? If it is all walking, are the spots up close to the entrance to the mine field over-dug? Again, I really appreciate the way you presented your information in this video.

[@sergioortega5869]

Hello Friend. happy new year you know can i ask you how to clean a diamond in the rough. there is some special liquid to leave it as clean as possible. even my diamond is like earthy it's blue

[@shirleyherring9998]

Very helpful ❤

[@chipmunk5510]

Great video. Me and the family are traveling there from Alabama for the first time, this weekend. Have traveled through the area for years and always wanted to go. So now we are finally getting a chance. Fingers crossed for a successful hunt. If not, at least it will be a well spent weekend with the family. Just one question, I saw where it is supposed to be raining this friday. So is there any certain place in the park that would be best for hunting after a rain?

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you! I would have said the west drain area, but it looks like they've started moving some dirt around with machinery so I'm not sure now. Head over the Facebook page in the description and ask there to get a better answer from some of the regulars or others that have been down there since that project started. Sorry I couldn't be more help there! We wish you the best of luck down there and hope you bring home tons of great memories and a shiny rock or two!

[@terrijobes1022]

Thank you so much. My sister and I are going November 2020. This was very helpful.

[@goldenchild8121]

Me too

[@robertrhoades983]

How deep can you dig ? Do they just toss the worked gravel back into the field?

[@DiamondMinerIvins]

I fill 50 buckets a day when working the field lol. Once had 66 buckets in my cage!! Good ol days!!

[@mekhimkl2702]

Is there a limit on the buckets you can take out of the park?

[@Kirbyheath]

Thanks for the video

[@fireedits5789]

I’m going there tomorrow

[@paulopaiva4366]

Boa tarde amigos daqui do Brasil 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 ? Também trabalho com explorações e procura de Diamantes aqui no Brasil. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@ucenic1]

Is there much of a wait to get to use the rock wash station?

[@edmc1000]

What is the size of the finer screen when you were washing gravel in water , window screen ??

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

It was the 1/20" pan - Mesh size: 0.050" - Wire thickness: 0.35 mm. It worked out pretty well, don't think it was too small or too big, but before you settle on a size, head over to the Facebook group we linked in the description and ask there. The regulars will tell you the optimal size.

[@ElektronT02]

1/20", or 20 mesh, and 1/16", or 16 mesh, are good sizes for your bottom screen. We go several times a year and have made our own box screens that use 16 mesh for the bottom and 1/4" or 4 mesh for the top. We also have two sarucas, one 16 mesh and one 20 mesh. Mr Graves is the nice man in town that makes very nice box screens that I highly recommend. He has the sign in his yard. We bought two from him that we use and used them as a guide to make some bigger ones. The sarucas can be purchased at the Miner's Camp, which is just past the park road on the left. They are a little expensive, but definitely worth it. You can also find them online at carolinaprospectors.net/product-category/pans_and_classifiers/classifiers/

[@toma1435]

Whats the best time to visit ?? When is it not too busy but still decent weather?

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

I would guess probably just after Labor Day, which I understand is one of their busiest weekends. The cooler fall weather (usually!) should have settled in by then along with summer vacations being done as the kids go back to school. We were there in July and lucked out with some very nice weather and the crowds weren't too bad in the middle of the week. If you have access to Facebook, check out the group we linked in the description. Lots of park regulars post there are will give you some good info!

[@toma1435]

@@BlackberryHillHouse thank you !! I will do that

[@DjLadywolf]

I'll be going next summer to the crater of state and I doubt that I can take my leftover dry stuff on a plane all the way back to Seattle

[@jphili]

I wonder if you can find kimberlite out there.with that, you wouldn't really see a diamond because it would be embedded inside the rock.but still kimberlite is very valuable in itself.

[@dmathews9928]

How big were both screens in the video? A 1/4 and an 1/8?

[@bobthompson4319]

Alot of phones have a magnifier and light. Idk if or how it will work but worth a try.

[@DiamondMinerIvins]

Y’all have some magnetite. that’s one of the best indicators for your centers because it’s heavy

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Woohoo! We're still going through them so maybe we we'll find one! That's also great information for everyone!

[@DiamondMinerIvins]

Good luck! 🍀

[@marcianorris6147]

Loved the video. Thank you for sharing. I would like to see close up of the crystals in your wife’s hand next time. Thank the

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you! We'll see if we can find some pictures and post them somewhere!

[@doyoueverwonder2683]

that shovel is a military intrenching tool. had one

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

It worked wonderfully for us and has served us well in the garden here at home. Great buy for not much money!

[@Cmarie84]

AKA E-Tool

[@simolari67]

im going to try to talk my wife in to going and enjoyed your video but one thing im not clear on is can you leave during the day and come back if we get hungry or do we bring food and drinks with us

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Yes, the ticket is good for all day, just keep your receipt. We camped at the park and used the trails to go back to the camper for lunch and stuff. It was very convenient! Hope you all make it there, such a fun time!

[@catsrule9841]

Parts I already knew,but at the end I saw ways to save a lot of time, also do we have to purchase tickets online to go,or are they usually not many people there?

[@justinwoodward5610]

I want to go there.

[@Helmarasmr]

I Pushed the like button :D

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Much appreciated!!

[@dj9136]

Just wanted to say thanks for the video, you did a great job. Also thanks for the links to the tool that's super helpful! My father and I have talked about going for a long time and this is the year we are going to do it, hopefully in the next month! Thumbs up and a Sub from me!

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

You're so very welcome! That makes us so super happy that you and your father are going to get to go. If you get a chance to meet up with any of the regulars down there, please do so. They are all so nice and helpful. Good luck to you both!!

[@douglasdobson8110]

OK, so gearing up for a trip to Crater of Diamonds. I have a problem; All of Google shopping, Amazon and the entire internet can't find a single saruka for sale, never heard of such a thing, and Gem Seive returns all results that are not sarukas. Can someone please link a saruka for sale . . . thank you

[@gosttunter]

Diamond hunting quick start guide.

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

We had so much fun there, I keep telling Scott that we may need to think about a return trip!

[@ChrisSmith-tr2ym]

What size screens, or mesh count or gauge are most recommended? Are there screens that are too fine and unnecessary?

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

1/20", or 20 mesh, and 1/16", or 16 mesh are what we've seen recommended for the bottom screen and 1/4" or 4 mesh for the top. We did find once we got much finer than that it clogged up a lot and left more than just the gravel you're after. There are some pretty great discussions on screen size and even making your own screens over on the Facebook page we linked in the description. It's a very active and helpful community!

[@ChrisSmith-tr2ym]

Older and Wiser Awesome! Thank you very much! :))

[@vinnyb113]

good video

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Thank you so much! We had such a great time there. ~K