SourcingApr 06, 2021
Petra Finds 39-Carat Rough Blue Diamond at CullinanSourcingJun 01, 2021
Washington Man Finds 2-Carat Rough Diamond to Create His Own Ring
The discovery at Crater of Diamonds comes after Christian Liden spent five years panning for enough gold to make the band.
Christian Liden of Poulsbo, Washington, found a 2.20-carat light yellow diamond during a few-day visit to the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.
Murfreesboro, Ark.—After years of gathering material to make his own engagement ring, one Washington man recently found a 2-carat diamond in Arkansas to top it off.
According to a release from the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, 26-year-old Christian Liden of Poulsbo, Washington, started by panning for gold around his home state.
He had gathered enough for the band after five years, and then embarked on a mining excursion to find the stones he’d set in it.
Liden and a longtime friend left their home state on May 1, taking with them mining equipment they had built themselves. They tested it at a Montana sapphire mine along the way.
Related stories will be right here …
According to a release from the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, 26-year-old Christian Liden of Poulsbo, Washington, started by panning for gold around his home state.
He had gathered enough for the band after five years, and then embarked on a mining excursion to find the stones he’d set in it.
Liden and a longtime friend left their home state on May 1, taking with them mining equipment they had built themselves. They tested it at a Montana sapphire mine along the way.
The pair arrived at Crater of Diamonds on May 7, spending an hour in the field that afternoon and returning early the next morning to mine all day, the park said.
Then, on his third day there, Liden was sifting when he spotted a big rough diamond.
“I was shaking so bad, I asked my buddy to grab it out of the gravel for me,” the park quoted Liden as saying.
He put it in a bag and took it to the park’s Diamond Discovery Center, where staff confirmed he had found a large yellow diamond.
The park described the 2.20-carat diamond as light yellow, triangular, and having a “sparkling, metallic luster.” Liden named it the “Washington Sunshine.”
He plans to mine for opals in Nevada next before returning to Washington, with the hopes of eventually being able to design an engagement ring for his future wife using the diamond and other gems collected on his cross-country adventure.
The 2.20-carat diamond is the largest to be found at Crater of Diamonds since last October, when a visitor uncovered a 4.49-carat yellow diamond.
Crater said 121 stones have been registered at the state park so far this year.
Then, on his third day there, Liden was sifting when he spotted a big rough diamond.
“I was shaking so bad, I asked my buddy to grab it out of the gravel for me,” the park quoted Liden as saying.
He put it in a bag and took it to the park’s Diamond Discovery Center, where staff confirmed he had found a large yellow diamond.
The 2.20-carat diamond, pictured here, has been name the “Washington Sunshine.”
The park described the 2.20-carat diamond as light yellow, triangular, and having a “sparkling, metallic luster.” Liden named it the “Washington Sunshine.”
He plans to mine for opals in Nevada next before returning to Washington, with the hopes of eventually being able to design an engagement ring for his future wife using the diamond and other gems collected on his cross-country adventure.
The 2.20-carat diamond is the largest to be found at Crater of Diamonds since last October, when a visitor uncovered a 4.49-carat yellow diamond.
Crater said 121 stones have been registered at the state park so far this year.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizOct 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2025
Jewelers Mutual to Host Jewelry Panel at Frazier History MuseumThe “Brilliant & Beyond” panel coincides with the “Love & Marriage” exhibition curated by Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate JobsThe retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
