Apple’s Siri helps family find 2.09-carat diamond at Arkansas state park

MURFREESBORO, Ark. (KAIT/KY3) - A 41-year-old Texas high school teacher’s year ended on a very bright note.

James Ward and his family visited the Crater of Diamonds State Park on Dec. 30 when he found a 2.09-carat brown diamond.

James Ward and his family were visiting the Crater of Diamonds State Park on Dec. 30 when he found a 2.09-carat brown diamond.(Arkansas State Parks)

Ward’s wife, Elizabeth, told park officials he couldn’t have done it without a little help from his iPhone’s virtual assistant, Siri. When their daughter asked if there was any place in Texas or Arkansas where they could mine crystals, the family asked Siri for nearby locations. The state park was among the sites suggested.

With no set plans for the holidays, the family loaded up and drove six hours to Murfreesboro to begin their search.

James Ward and his family were visiting the Crater of Diamonds State Park on Dec. 30 when he found a 2.09-carat brown diamond.(Arkansas State Parks)

Due to wintry weather, they were only able to search for four hours on their first day. It was so cold, the Wards considered going home. But their son convinced them to return.

That decision proved fruitful. Within two hours of the search, James Ward spotted a metallic-looking crystal in the soil near the park’s West Drain section.

“I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it was different than everything else I had found,” Ward said in a news release.

Despite not knowing what he had found, Ward placed it in a paper bag and continued searching with his family.

Before leaving, they stopped by the park’s Diamond Discovery Center. That’s where staff confirmed Ward had found a 2.09-carat diamond.

He named it the Ward Diamond to commemorate his family’s memorable trip.

James Ward and his family were visiting the Crater of Diamonds State Park on Dec. 30 when he found a 2.09-carat brown diamond.(Arkansas State Parks)

When asked if he plans to sell or keep it, Ward said he had no idea.

“I’ll have to see how much it’s worth first,” he said.

For future searchers, Elizabeth Ward offered this bit of advice: “Listen to your kids about their dreams and what they want to do.”

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.

Copyright 2026 KY3. All rights reserved.