MURFREESBORO, Ark., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- A North Carolina boy has found a 5.16-carat honey brown diamond while visiting Arkansas's Crater of Diamonds State Park, officials said.
Michael Dettlaff, 12, of Fayetteville, N.C., was vacationing with his family late last month when they made what would turn out to be a very fortunate detour of about 100 miles to visit the park, KATV, Little Rock, Ark., reported Saturday. Appraisers said the gem could be worth up to $15,000 once it's cut, ABC News reported.
Dettlaff was digging for only about 10 minutes when he found the diamond, which photos show to be about one-fourth the size of a quarter.
Waymon Cox, who works for Arkansas' parks department, said it's the 27th-largest diamond discovered at Crater of Diamonds.
"It's thrilling any time a child finds a diamond here at Crater of Diamonds State Park," Cox said. "Michael was excited to have found his own diamond, as just about any boy would be, but he was absolutely awestruck when he realized its significance."
Dettlaff told the TV station he's named the rock God's Glory Diamond. No estimate was given on the diamond's worth.