Just 10,000 Won Turns into 2 Billion... Man Strikes It Rich Finding a 9-Carat Diamond in a Park

On the 7th of last month (local time), bank manager Kevin Kynard is smiling while holding a diamond he mined himself. [Image provided by Diamond State Park]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] A bank employee who struck it lucky by finding a 9-carat diamond while visiting a park on Labor Day in the United States is becoming a hot topic. He expressed his feelings, saying, "I am too young and will continue to work."

According to foreign media on the 27th (local time), Kevin Kynard (33), a bank manager residing in Momeul, Arkansas, obtained a 9.07-carat diamond on Labor Day, September 7th.

This is the second largest diamond in the history of Arkansas's Crater of Diamonds State Park, marking 48 years since a 16-carat diamond was discovered in 1975.

This park is the only volcanic area in the world where the general public can mine diamonds. Regardless of size, those who find diamonds can keep them, and the entrance fee is known to be $10 (approximately 11,700 KRW).

Since 1906, more than 75,000 diamonds have been discovered in this park, with an average of one or two small diamonds around 0.25 carats found daily.

Kynard also visited this place during a second-grade elementary school field trip. He has continued to visit regularly but said this was the first time he obtained a diamond.

He said, "It looked shiny and fun, so I put it in my bag. I just thought it was glass." He added that he couldn't believe it even when he received a call from the park's identification center confirming that what he mined was a diamond, saying, "I was so surprised that I even shed tears."

He continued, "I almost didn't leave (the mined item) at the center because I thought I hadn't found anything. My friends showed what they found at the center, so I just followed along. I was completely shocked when I heard the result," he shared.

Photo of the diamond. [Image provided by Diamond State Park]

The diamond is currently stored in the safe at his workplace, the bank. Although it has not yet been appraised, it is expected to be worth at least several hundred million KRW and up to 2 billion KRW.

Kynard said, "My boss asked if I was going to quit the bank now," but firmly stated, "Absolutely not. I am too young for that. I will continue to work."

According to the U.S. Tourism Board, the Murfreesboro area in Arkansas, where the mining park is located, is famous for its abundant diamonds. It is known that more than 120,000 people visit this place annually.