Mother finds 3.09-carat diamond in state park after death of family members

MURFEESBORO, Ark. (KSLA) - On April 22, Keshia Smith, a Pennsylvania woman grieving the recent deaths of her son and father, found a 3.09-carat white diamond at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Smith began planning her trip to the diamond site over a year ago, researching where to dig and search.

After losing her son in October and her father in April, Smith hoped the trip to the park would bring her much-needed comfort.

She took the trip with her boyfriend Joey and her brother Karim, arriving at the park on April 21.

On April 22, Smith was digging through dirt on the south end of the park, near an historical marker commemorating John Huddleston’s 1906 discovery of the first diamonds in Arkansas, digging until she noticed something shiny on her shovel.

She carried the piece she had dug up to the wash pavilion and realized she had found her own diamond.

Later in the day, Smith brought her find to the park’s Diamond Discovery Center, where staff confirmed that her glimmering stone was a 3.09-carat white diamond.

“I have felt so much pressure the last six months. In October I lost my son, and we just buried my dad a week ago. It has been a lot,” said Smith.

“I really needed this. I really prayed for this, and I just can’t believe it actually happened,” she continued.

Smith went on to name her diamond.

She chose the name “Za’Novia Liberty Diamond.”

Za’Novia represents the names of her two grandchildren and Liberty represents the significance of finding her diamond during America’s 250^th year.