There is a kimberlite pipe located in Kansas, in Riley County (Ft Riley area), and a lamproite pipe in approx. 100 miles south in Woodson County (Yates Center area), as well as a granite outcropping also that same area. These are the only known outcroppings of igneous rock in the state. The kimberlite and lamproite are determined to be extrusive (volcanic), but the granite is suspected to be a subterranean "raft" of solidified plutonic rock pushed up as a result of deep tectonic pressure. There have been no reports of diamonds in either Riley or Woodson counties.

99.99% of all other rock in Kansas is sedimentary (limestone, sandstone, shale, chert) or metamorphed sedimentary (calcite, slate, novaculite, quartzite). Other than oil, natural gas, and some coal, the only mining done in Kansas is the extreme southeast corner where there are deposits of lead, tin and zinc.

Crater of Diamonds is a fun location with a 5 star campground. It is a good place to learn how to look for diamonds which is similar to panning for gold. In fact, equipment for looking for diamonds is the same equipment for gold as diamonds are heavy...if you are getting black sand or garnets in your pan, you will probably retain some diamonds because they are the same weight. Gold and other precious metals would just be a plus when panning. Once you are comfortable at Crater of Diamonds, then try the diamond mining district "state line district" on the Colorado/Wyoming border. Virtually every stream there has a chance of finding diamonds. It helps if you Google locations where to look. As long as you stay on US Forest Land you should be alright...rules to abide by, only shovel, classifiers, and pan or small sluice permitted and you must stay within the stream bed. I use a Saruca which operates like a gold pan and is really a bowl shaped screen...wont retain any flour gold. To date, I enjoy the mountain views, wild strawberries, and my collection of 34 diamonds I have found there, including a 4.92 carat flawless white, supposedly the 2nd largest placer diamond found in Colorado. I try to get out there every summer for about 1-2 weeks. Camp sites abound just about everywhere. Have fun and if we run into each other, I can tell you of other places to check out in Wyoming.

Actually...you will find more diamonds in the State Line District vicinity than you will at Crater Of Diamonds. I have visited both sites and found that if you really google the area, you will find some very likely areas to pan....I said pan...for diamonds. No mechanical equipment allowed or needed. A shovel, couple of buckets, classifiers, and a saruca is all you need. Lacking a saruca, a gold pan will do but not as efficient. I have found over 30 diamonds in the area including a 4.92ct flawless white diamond worth about $15000 after cutting. It also is the 2nd largest placer diamond found in Colorado. My next really nice one is over 3/4ct and very unusual in that it has numerous microscopic diamonds, perfect octohedral shapes attached to it on both ends and looks like a bean. It also is a white diamond. Suggested reading: Any books by Don Hausel, a geologist reporting on the area.

I am interested in going back to the area either this summer or next and spend several weeks panning my favorite areas. No problem sharing them as there is a lack of prospectors in the area which makes it highly fertile area to visit. I have made numerous friends with several owners in the area and want to keep it that way. They cant allow prospecting on their property as the railroad that sold them the land kept the mineral rights. But the game lands and the national forest areas are open to prospect. Any person interested in joining me and I will show you how to find diamonds.

I am also prospecting an area in the western part of Wyoming, just off the interstate and within miles of several diamond claims on Cedar Mountain. I have found the indicator gems on anthills in the region and narrowed it down to 2 areas that are likely prospects with g10 garnets and chrome diopside of gem quality. 2 miles away in Butcher Knife Draw several small diamonds have reportedly been found by dry panning.
There is a KOA about 5 miles away in Lyman, Wyoming. Again, I welcome company in digging grid holes in finding a hidden kimberlite blow that the gem stones originated from...and maybe find some diamonds. Who knows?

If you are going to dig deep, get your self a probe. A steel rod with a T handle will do...about 5 feet long and pointed and no more than a half inch thick. Poke this into the ground as far as you can, turning it until you feel a scratchy feel indicating gravel. You may have to try several spots before that happens. What you are looking for are old drainage areas where water has run depositing gravel. It since has been covered up by clay soil (decomposed lamprolite and ash) when at bottom of shallow sea. The shallow sea would have had a clockwise current due to the nature of prevailing winds. Any ash or diamonds would have settled out of the blow downwind or downstream. This is why the south or southwest area of the area is probably the most productive. If you dig when you encounter the gravel, your classified remains in the saruca or screen box should have a high content of quartz or white remains as a bullseye in your fines. That is where you will find diamonds didgging deep. If you dont get that white bullseye, move to a differant area. Quartz and diamonds are heavy and will settle out in any gravel indicating a small rivulet or drain, thus concentrating your results naturally. This is an oldtimers trick and told to me and it works. I have several stones from COD. Happy hunting. The campground there is one of the best in the state. Buy a multivisit card for entrance. It is a lot cheaper that way than per day. Plus the card can be used for multiple family members.