Iowa has some exciting spots for those looking to dig for diamonds. From well-known areas like the Des Moines River gravel bars to the hidden gems along the Cedar River, there’s plenty to discover.

While finding diamonds in Iowa might sound crazy, these hidden treasures are more real than you’d think! Imagine sifting through river gravel and suddenly discovering a glimmering gem that could be worth a fortune.

How Diamond Forms Here

Diamonds form deep within the Earth, about 90 to 200 kilometers below the surface, where conditions are extreme.

Here, carbon atoms are subjected to intense heat—around 900 to 1,300 degrees Celsius—and immense pressure, about 45 to 60 kilobars. This environment causes the carbon to crystallize into diamond structures over millions to billions of years.

Over time, erosion and weathering expose these stones, making them accessible for mining.

What’s amazing is that each diamond’s journey from deep within the Earth makes it unique, with its own shape, size, and clarity.

The Types of Diamond

Diamonds are classified into various types based on their structure and color. Here are some of the popular types of diamond:

Black Diamond

Black diamonds, also known as carbonados, are truly one-of-a-kind. Unlike their clear cousins, these stones are opaque and have a matte finish.

They don’t sparkle in the traditional sense but have a unique, mysterious charm all their own.

What makes black diamonds special is their age and formation. Most are believed to be 2.6 to 3.2 billion years old, making them some of the oldest gemstones on Earth.

Their dark color comes from numerous inclusions and the presence of graphite or other minerals.

Recently, a massive black diamond called “The Enigma” made headlines. Weighing 555.55 carats, it showcases the growing interest in these unusual stones.

Yellow Diamond

Yellow diamonds shine with a vibrant, sunny hue. Their color ranges from light yellow to deep, intense shades.

This beautiful color comes from nitrogen atoms in the diamond’s structure. These atoms absorb blue light and reflect yellow, giving the stone its unique appearance.

Unlike clear diamonds, yellow diamonds are graded based on their color intensity. The deeper and richer the yellow, the more valuable the stone. This grading system is different from the one used for colorless diamonds.

Blue Diamond

The color of the blue diamond can range from a soft, icy blue to a deep, vivid shade. This striking blue comes from boron in the diamond’s crystal structure. It’s a rare occurrence in nature, making these diamonds very uncommon.

One cool thing about blue diamonds is how they react to ultraviolet light. Many of them show a unique glow called fluorescence. This can make their color even more impressive under certain lighting.

Blue diamonds have some famous examples. The Hope Diamond is probably the most well-known. It’s known for being the largest diamond weighing 45.52 carats. It’s current value is estimated to be US$200–350 million.

Red Diamond

Red diamonds are incredibly rare and highly prized. Their distinct red color comes from structural imperfections in the diamond’s crystal lattice, not from chemical impurities like other colored diamonds.

These diamonds are so rare that very few have ever been found. Each discovery of a red diamond is a significant event in the gemstone world.

Their rarity makes them even more valuable than pink or blue diamonds, which are already considered extremely precious.

Some famous red diamonds have captured public attention. The Moussaieff Red from Brazil and the Kazanjian Red Diamond from South Africa are notable examples.

In 1987, a red diamond (Hancock Diamond) sold at auction for a record-setting $927,000, highlighting the extraordinary value placed on these rare gems.

Pink Diamond

Pink diamond’s color can be a soft, delicate pink or a deep, vivid rose. What’s interesting is that scientists aren’t entirely sure why they’re pink. It’s thought to be due to a twist in their crystal structure, not because of any specific element.

These diamonds are incredibly scarce. For every million carats of rough diamonds mined, only one carat might be a pink diamond. This rarity makes them highly prized by collectors and jewelers.

Even small pink diamonds can be worth a lot because of their rarity. They’re often used in high-end jewelry, where their unique color makes a big impact.

Green Diamond

Green diamonds are some of the most unusual and unique colored diamonds. Their color can range from a light mint to a deep forest green

What makes them special is how they get their color. It’s not from a chemical element, but from exposure to natural radiation over millions of years.

This natural coloring process is incredible. It happens when diamonds are near radioactive rocks deep in the earth. The radiation changes the diamond’s crystal structure, creating the green color.

Green diamonds often show unique light effects. Some might have a strong glow under certain lights, adding to their allure.

What Rough Diamonds Look Like

Rough diamonds can be challenging to identify. Here are a few proven techniques that will make it easier for you to identify the rough diamond:

Check for a Glassy or Waxy Luster

One of the most noticeable features of a rough diamond is its luster. Uncut diamonds often have a glassy or waxy appearance.

This is because the rough surface scatters light differently than a smooth, cut surface.

Look for an Octahedral Shape

Rough diamonds typically take on an octahedral shape, which resembles two pyramids joined at the base. This shape is a result of the diamond’s cubic crystal structure.

However, not all rough diamonds will have a perfect octahedral form, as they can be distorted or irregular due to natural forces during formation.

Assess the Density and Weight

Diamonds are known for their density and weight. A rough diamond will feel heavy for its size compared to other stones.

You can test this by holding the stone in your hand and comparing it to a known non-diamond.

Look for a Crystalline Texture

When examining a rough diamond, you may notice a distinct crystalline texture on its surface.

This is due to the diamond’s atomic structure and can help distinguish it from other minerals or synthetic stones.

A Quick Request About Collecting

Tips on where to look

Once you get to the places we have listed below there are some things you should keep in mind when you’re searching:

Look in Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary rocks are a great place to start. These rocks form from layers of materials that have settled over time.

Diamonds can be found in these layers. Look for areas where the rock has been worn down or eroded. This is where diamonds might be exposed.

Explore Riverbeds

Rivers are another excellent spot. Over time, water carries diamonds downstream. Look for gravel beds in rivers. These spots can hold diamonds that have been washed away from their original location.

Pay attention to bends in the river. These areas often collect heavier materials, including diamonds.

Check Old Mining Sites

Old mining sites are worth exploring. Many diamonds were left behind during past mining activities.

Look for areas where mining was done in the past. Even if the site is no longer active, it can still be a good place to find hidden gems.

Investigate Hillsides

Hillsides can also be promising. Erosion can expose diamond-bearing rocks. Look for loose soil or rock on slopes.

These areas may reveal diamonds that have been pushed to the surface over time.

The types of Diamond you can find around the state

In Iowa, diamond hunters might come across a few interesting types of diamonds. While clear diamonds are the most common, colored diamonds like yellow and even rare black diamonds could also be found in the state’s gravel beds.

Yellow diamonds are often spotted for their sunny, golden hue, caused by nitrogen in their structure. Black diamonds, with their mysterious, opaque look, are a unique find, having formed billions of years ago with their dark color coming from graphite and other minerals.

Some Great Places To Start

Here are some of the better places in the state to start looking:

Vinton

Vinton is a great place to search for diamonds in Iowa, especially along the Cedar River’s gravel beds. The river’s flow has carried diamonds over time, and they tend to settle in slower areas like bends and shallow spots.

To find diamonds, use a sieve or classifier to sift through the gravel. Look for stones with a glassy or waxy shine and watch for octahedral shapes, as patience and attention will help spot these hidden gems.

Waverly

Waverly is a great place to start searching for diamonds in Iowa. The gravel beds along the Cedar River are known for sometimes holding rough diamonds, as the river carries them and deposits them in slow-moving areas like bends and shallow spots.

To have a better chance of finding diamonds, look for gravel bars and spots where debris gathers. Patience is key because diamonds can be hard to find, but staying persistent will help.

Elkader

Elkader is an excellent spot for diamond hunters in Iowa, especially with its gravel beds along the Turkey River. Over time, the river’s flow has carried and deposited rough diamonds in areas where the current slows down, such as river bends and shallow spots.

To increase the chances of finding diamonds, focus on searching gravel bars and areas where debris tends to collect. Using a sieve or classifier to sift through the gravel can help separate stones and make it easier to spot diamonds with their distinctive shiny or waxy appearance.

Dubuque

Dubuque, located along the Mississippi River, is a great place for diamond hunting in Iowa. The river’s flow has carried rough diamonds over time, and they can often be found in gravel beds, especially in areas where the water slows down, such as river bends and shallows.

To improve the chances of finding diamonds, focus on gravel bars and places where debris collects. Using a sieve or classifier will help separate the gravel, making it easier to spot diamonds with their glassy or waxy luster.

Fayette

Fayette, located along the Turkey River, is a promising spot for diamond hunters in Iowa. The river’s current has carried rough diamonds, depositing them in gravel beds, particularly in areas where the water slows down, like bends and shallow spots.

To improve the chances of finding diamonds, focus on gravel bars and spots where debris gathers. Using tools like a sieve or classifier can help sift through the gravel, making it easier to spot diamonds with their glassy or waxy appearance. Patience is essential as finding diamonds requires persistence and careful searching.

Places Diamond has been found by county