Diamond Peak (Colorado) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Diamond Peak
Diamond Peak Location in Colorado
Highest point
Elevation	9,665 ft (2,946 m)
Prominence	2,845 ft (867 m)
Isolation	29.67 mi (47.75 km)
Geography
Location	Moffat County, Colorado, U.S.
Topo map	USGS 7.5' topographic map Beaver Basin, Colorado

Diamond Peak is a very tall mountain in the Green River Basin in the U.S. state of Colorado. This amazing peak stands at 9,665 feet (2,946 meters) high. It is located about 51 miles (82.1 kilometers) northwest of a town called Maybell. You can find it in Moffat County, Colorado.

Exploring Diamond Peak

Diamond Peak is not just a tall mountain. It is also famous for a big mystery that happened there a long time ago. This mystery involved a clever trick about diamonds.

Where is Diamond Peak?

Diamond Peak is found in the northwestern part of Colorado. It is part of the beautiful landscape of Moffat County. The mountain is a significant landmark in the Green River Basin area.

The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872

Diamond Peak was the site of a famous trick called the Diamond hoax of 1872. This event made headlines across the country. It was a story about finding many diamonds in the wild.

What Was the Diamond Hoax?

In 1872, two men claimed they had found a huge diamond field. They said it was in a remote area, which turned out to be near Diamond Peak. They showed off some diamonds and other gems. These gems were real, but they had been placed there on purpose. This trick is called "salting" a mine. It means putting valuable minerals into a place to make it look like a rich discovery. Many people, including rich investors, believed the story. They thought they would get very wealthy from this new diamond field.

Who Solved the Mystery?

The mystery of the diamond field was solved by a smart geologist named Clarence King. A geologist is a scientist who studies rocks and the Earth. King was known for his careful work and sharp mind. He became suspicious of the claims. He traveled to the remote location to investigate.

When Clarence King arrived, he quickly noticed something was wrong. The diamonds were scattered in an unnatural way. He found that the diamonds were from different parts of the world. This was a big clue. He also saw that some diamonds were placed in cracks in the rocks. This showed they had been put there by hand. King's careful study proved that the diamond field was a fake. His discovery saved many people from losing their money.

Other Diamond Peaks in Colorado

It might be a bit confusing, but there are actually two other mountains named "Diamond Peak" in Colorado. One is located in Routt County. The other is in Jackson County. Each of these peaks has its own unique features.