Downsizing? Determined to get rid of stuff you no longer need? Cleaning out a home or an estate? Stop! Know Before You Throw.
About this time last year, I shared with you the story of a teenager who had found a 7.44 carat diamond just lying in the dirt. This actually was to be expected given that the teen was at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. The park, located just outside Murfreesboro, Arkansas, is the site of the eighth largest diamond-bearing volcanic crater on earth. Who knew? And right here in America.
The park’s history is that around 1906, the first diamond was discovered at the site that would eventually become the state park. On July 15, 1952, the area became a commercial venture open to the public. In the early 1970s, the land was established as an Arkansas State Park.
Since the park started keeping records in 1972, there have been a reported total of 32,444 diamonds found through 2016. The largest diamond recovered during this time was 16.37 carats in size found by a Texas visitor in 1975. That diamond was cut into the 7.50 carat Amarillo Starlight. Last year, a total of 445 diamonds were found by tourists at the park. So, for a mere $10 admission fee, you, too, can root around in the dirt and possibly find your fortune.
On a slightly grander scale, it was announced in April that a 472 carat gem-grade diamond of light brown color was discovered by a small-diamond miner in Botswana. That is an extremely large single diamond to remain intact given the fact the mining process usually results in much smaller stones being harvested.
While most of us may never have the opportunity to discover gigantic diamonds in Africa, or visit the Crater of Diamonds State Park to seek our treasure in the dirt, we just might have hidden treasures in our dresser drawers in the form of old or unwanted jewelry. It might be broken, outdated or hold unpleasant memories, but don’t just discard it without knowing the value of what you have. Who knows, that old jewelry just might be your diamond in the rough and worth enough to fund your summer vacation.
So what’s in your dresser?
Jon Englund has more than 30 years of experience in appraising and liquidating personal property, jewelry, art, collectibles, antiques, furniture, printed items and more, as well as more than 15 years of experience in real estate. A Midwest transplant, Jon trained at New York University in appraisal studies.
Donna Luger has assisted during that time, and is a veteran Associate Broker and Realtor with HomeSmart Realty—Elite Group.
For more information, call (480) 699-1567. You also can send an email to Jon@KnowBeforeYouThrow.INFO.