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North Carolina: A Paradise of Gemstones
North Carolina has a long and interesting history of world-famous gem mining and production. Due to North Carolina’s complex and ancient geologic history, beautiful and fascinating gemstones occur in numerous mines in the western part of our state. Thousands of people visit these mines each year and enjoy the excitement of discovering their own personal gemstone treasures.
Precious gems such as aquamarine, ruby, sapphire, and our state stone the emerald can be found in North Carolina. North Carolina also has the great distinction of producing the largest and highest quality emeralds in North America. In fact, the largest star sapphire in the world was found right here in North Carolina.
There are a great number and variety of different gemstone mines that exist in North Carolina. Many of these mines occur in beautiful natural surroundings like the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and the rolling hills of the North Carolina Piedmont. Local streams occasionally carry gem garnet and other interesting minerals in many areas of western North Carolina. The most famous gem-mining areas in North Carolina center around the Spruce Pine area, the famous Cowee Valley in the Franklin area, and the Hiddenite area in Alexander County, NC.
Some of these mines can be traced back as far as the 1800’s. Many of the mines began early on as commercial mining for industrial minerals like corundum, feldspar and mica. Some, however, were originally gem mines such as the mines near Hiddenite, NC in Alexander County. Historically, some local people have made a living working in or around one of these mines. Now some of these old mines are operated as gem-mining attractions.
The Hiddenite, NC area in Alexander County is famous for emeralds as well as many other gemstones. In the past, quite a few gem companies explored this area for emeralds after farmers began picking up "green bolts" in their fields. Currently mine owner Jamie Hill has found some very nice emeralds at the old Rist Ellis mine. These emeralds are world-class in quality and command high prices per carat.
The only mine open to the public in the Hiddenite area is the Emerald Hollow Mine. This mine offers sluicing, "creeking", and dig-your-own mineral mining. Gems found include hiddenite, emerald, beryl, and others. There is also a campground, and miners can stake claims for a fee. Minerals found at Emerald Hollow include agate, aquamarine, emerald, gem rutile, hiddenite, moonstone, smoky quartz, and tourmaline.
Great examples of mines in the Spruce Pine, NC area in Mitchell County are the Emerald Village group of mines. These mines were and produced feldspar for a scrubbing cleaner product called Bon Ami as well as other products. Eighty different types of minerals are found in their three mines.
The Emerald Village mines are currently being operated as gem mines and offer a flume as well as a mining museum. The underground workings of the mines can be toured and offer fascinating photo opportunities for shutterbugs The museum has exhibits of mining lamps, dynamite plungers, and other old mining gear and memorabilia. The museum includes a display with minerals under black light as well as many attractive mineral specimens. There is an antique music museum, a North Carolina wildlife display, quilt displays and a Crossings of the Blue Ridge Railroad diorama. There are artisans available to cut the gems you find and a picnic area for a nice lunch. The Village also includes a gift shop with gem and mineral specimens for sale and other gifts.
The nearby Ray Mica Mine in Yancey County is a wonderful former mica mine that now produces gem aquamarine and a plethora of other minerals. Located within NC Forest Service lands, this mine area is a favorite place for rock hounds, lovers of great scenery, campers, and hikers alike. This mine produced mica that was used for may purposes, including stove glass, electrical uses, and others. At one time this mine was considered a Strategic Minerals Deposit by the US government during World War II.
The Cowee Valley area near Franklin, NC in Macon County is famous for the deposits of rubies, sapphires, and other minerals that occur here. The Valley got the name "Cowee" from the Cherokee word "Ani Kawi", meaning "The Place of the Deer." Locals picked up the first corundum crystals here before the beginning of the 20th century. Later exploration for abrasive corundum led to exciting gemstone finds and may mines being excavated in this area. During the last world war, the Cowee Valley area was the only producer of abrasive corundum in the entire United States.
Mason’s Ruby and Sapphire Mine in Franklin, NC produces native rubies, sapphires, and garnets. For a fee, you can dig on dump piles from the mines and find your own gems. The mine supplies all tools as well as a flume. Locally owned and operated, this mine is not salted or enriched in any way.
These are just a few of the abundant locations that hide the magnificent gem treasures of North Carolina. Opportunities abound for finding a variety of different gems and minerals here in North Carolina. Our state truly is a paradise of gemstones. Who knows, there may be a glittering gem waiting just for you at the next mine you visit!
Here’s a county-by-county List of a few Gem Mines:
Alexander
Emerald Hollow Mine
Hiddenite, NC,
(828) 632-339
Haywood
Old Pressley Sapphire Mine
Canton, NC
(828) 648-6320
Mitchell
Blue Ridge Gemstone Mine
McKinney Mine Road,
Little Switzerland, telephone
(828) 765-5264
Emerald Village
(828) 765-6463
www.emeraldvillage.com
Gem Mountain
(828) 765-6130
Rio Doce Mine
Highway 226N
(828) 765-2099
Spruce Pine Gem and Gold Mine
Intersection of Blue Ridge Parkway and Highway 226
(828) 765-7981
Macon
Cherokee Ruby Mine
Franklin, NC
(828) 524-5684
Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine
Franklin, NC
828) 369-5271
Gem Mine at GemWorld
1884 Georgia Rd.
Franklin NC
(828) 349-5411
Gold City Gem Mine
9410 Sylva Road
Franklin NC
(828) 369-3905
www.goldcityamusement.com
Jackson Hole Mine
9770 Highlands Rd.
Highlands, NC
(828) 524-5850
Mason Mountain Mine
5315 Bryson City Rd.
Franklin, NC
(828) 524-4570
www.masonmtnmine.com
Mason’s Ruby and Sapphire Mine
6945 Upper Burningtown Rd.
Franklin NC 28734
(828) 369-9742
Moonstone Gem Mine
Franklin
(828) 524-7764
Old Cardinal Mine
71 Rockhaven Drive
Franklin, NC
(828) 369-7534
www.oldcardinalgemine.com
Rocky Face Mine
Franklin, NC
(828) 524-3148
Rose Creek Mine
115 Terrace Ridge Drive
Franklin, NC
(828) 349-3774
www.shipwreckcoins.com/rose.htm
Sheffield Ruby Mine
385 Sheffield Farms Road
Franklin, NC
(828) 369-8383 or (828) 524-3456
www.sheffieldmine.com
Watauga
Greater Foscoe Gem Mining Company
Foscoe, NC
(828) 963-5928
Magic Mountain Mini Golf and Gem Mine
Boone, NC
(828) 265-4653
by C.W. Allen
