Arkansas Versus Paris: A Parisian’s Enchanting Discovery in the U.S.

By Charles Nwoke

Julien Navas, a Parisian, discovered something in Arkansas that rivals the magic of his hometown. Earlier this month, Navas unearthed a 7.46-carat diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, proving that the allure and wonder often associated with Paris can indeed be found in the most unexpected places.

Navas, who hails from the city often dubbed as the ‘City of Light’, experienced his own luminous moment in the Arkansas park. “It was a real great adventure,” he exclaimed, clearly moved by his find. His journey to the U.S. was filled with unique experiences, including witnessing a rocket launch in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and soaking in the vibrant culture of New Orleans.

The Crater of Diamonds State Park caught his interest due to his past experiences with panning for gold and hunting for ammonite fossils. This background spurred him to visit the park during his U.S. travels. On January 11th, armed with a diamond hunting kit from the park, Navas embarked on his quest, a pursuit that would soon yield an extraordinary reward.

Navas’ approach was methodical and patient. “I got to the park around 9:00 and started to dig,” he said, describing the strenuous process. By afternoon, he shifted his strategy to surface searching, a decision that led him to the remarkable discovery. The unearthing of the 7.46-carat brown diamond was not just a moment of personal triumph but also an emotional one, as Navas thought of sharing the news with his fiancée.

Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox attributed Navas’ find partly to recent heavy rains and the park’s practice of plowing the search area to expose the diamonds. These natural and human-made conditions create the perfect environment for diamond hunters like Navas.

The diamond, named ‘Carine’ after his fiancée, boasts a deep chocolate brown hue and is about the size of a candy gumdrop. Navas plans to have it cut into two diamonds to celebrate his love for his fiancée and his daughter. This gesture adds a personal and romantic layer to his discovery.

Navas’ story is not just about finding a precious stone; it’s a narrative that captures the essence of adventure, love, and the unexpected joy of discovering something extraordinary in the least anticipated places. His experience in Arkansas, while vastly different from the architectural and historical wonders of Paris, was equally magical in its own right. It highlights the universal allure of exploration and the thrill of uncovering hidden treasures, whether in the urban landscape of Paris or the natural expanses of Arkansas.