Dozens of diamonds have been found in Indiana.
Prospectors and settlers have been finding diamonds in Indiana and other Midwestern states since the 19th century when westward expansion boomed. Diamonds aren't indigenous to Indiana and they're not plentiful; geologists believe they were transported to the Midwest by cataclysmic weather events about 20,000 years ago.
The Origins of Hoosier Diamonds
Indiana has a layer of sedimentary formation that varies from 3,500 to 13,000 feet in depth, making it nearly impossible to uncover locally formed diamonds. However, during the last Ice Age, large amounts of rocks and minerals (collectively called "till") were picked up by glacial motion and shoved from Canada to the United States. The ice reached as far south as the area between Martinsville and Bloomington, resulting in the south-central part of the state having an abundance of abnormal mineral wealth that includes gold and diamonds that were deposited with the melting ice.
Significant Diamond Finds in Indiana
Diamond finds were well-documented in the latter half of the 1800s because many parties were evaluating the viability of diamonds mines in Indiana. In 1903, Willis Blatchley published detailed descriptions of eight diamonds found in Indiana while noting that several others, found by gold seekers, went undocumented. The largest diamond examined by Blatchley was reportedly enormous: "The Stanley Diamond," which weighed in at 4 7/8 carats. As of 2005, the Indiana Geological Survey has documented 35 Hoosier diamonds.
Find Diamonds in Indiana
Looking for diamonds is similar to looking for gold. The easiest places to find diamonds are creek beds that are low relative to the bedrock. Because diamonds are denser than most other minerals, they are usually at the lowest strata of the creek above the bedrock. A hand trowel suffices for reaching this level in diamond-rich areas. Geographically, diamonds are most likely to be found in the band south of Indianapolis and north of Bedford. Historically, the highest abundance of diamonds in Indiana has been found in Morgan County and Brown County.
What to Do If You Find a Diamond
If you believe you've found a diamond, have it analyzed by a gemologist who can confirm whether it is genuine. Although the "4 Cs" of diamond jewelry don't necessarily apply to diamonds in the rough, a gemologist can verify that a diamond is genuine and determine its rough weight and quality. Have the diamond appraised by a reputable jeweler, though many will require a fee for this service. The Indiana Geological Survey encourages people to inform it of any diamonds found in Indiana for research purposes.
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