When talking about millionaires, stories are often told of mega-entrepreneurs who founded their business from scratch, as well as those who were simply lucky enough to have inherited it. However, some may obtain fortune by finding wealth in nature.
In 2017, Kalel Langford, a 14-year-old boy at the time, became a millionaire after finding an object worth almost a million dollars in the Crater of Diamonds, a state park in Arkansas, United States. Kalel’s story is a testament to the fortune and surprise that a simple family visit to a park can bring.
The incredible discovery that made Kalel Langford a millionaire
Kalel Langford and his family paid $10 per person to enter his hometown park. The place is famous for allowing visitors to search for and keep any diamonds they find. During their visit, while walking near the edge of a stream, Kalel noticed an unusual stone that stood out among the others.
“It was just a few centimeters from a stream of water, with a bunch of other rocks that were the same size,” Kalel said. Initially, neither he nor his father, Craig Langford, were sure the stone was a diamond because of its dark color. However, Craig knew they had to investigate further: “We were only in the park for about 30 minutes when he found it. The color of it was so dark that we weren’t sure if it was a diamond, but we knew we needed to analyze it,” he explained.
The Langford family took the stone to the Diamond Discovery Center, a facility within the park dedicated to gem identification. There, experts confirmed that Kalel had found a 7.44-carat diamond, one of the largest discovered in the park’s history. This news filled the family with joy and amazement.
The diamond, which was not officially valued, would have a value close to one million dollars. This estimate is based on the sale of a similar, slightly larger diamond that fetched that figure on the market. The park’s “see it, keep it” policy allowed Kalel to keep his find without restrictions.
Park spokesman Waymon Cox explained that conditions were ideal for Kalel’s discovery: “There had been a lot of rain in the plowed search area during the week. “A heavy rain can bring the largest diamonds close to the surface.” Cox described the gem as “about the size of a pinto bean and a very dark brown, coffee-like color,” with an icy appearance and a shape reminiscent of a pillow or kite.
Kalel, a big fan of Superman, decided to name the diamond after his favorite superhero. What that boy did was keep the precious object, without forgetting the value it has.
Kalel’s story has captured the attention of many, not only because of the value of the diamond, but also because of the fascinating chance of its discovery. The Crater of Diamonds is one of the few places in the world where the public can search for diamonds in their natural environment and keep what they find, making it a popular destination for adventurers and treasure hunters.
News of Kalel’s discovery generated renewed interest in the park at the time, bringing new visitors to the park who hoped and still hope to have the same luck. For Kalel and his family, the visit to the Crater of Diamonds will be remembered as the day when a simple excursion became a million-dollar experience.
