Get our free mobile app According to Arkansas State Parks, 26-year-old Christian Liden set a goal for himself to create an engagement ring for his future wife made of stones he mined himself. After his Crater of Diamonds State Park find, his dream will come true. Liden told Crater of Diamonds park rangers that he and a friend traveled to the park on May 7. “We spent about an hour in the field that afternoon and returned early the next morning to mine all day,” Liden said. Liden didn't find his valued treasure on the first day of their trip. However, by day 3 and after long hours of mining, Liden says he knew the diamond when he spotted it.