The Emerald Hollow Mine
http://hiddenitegems.com/
Located near Statesville North Carolina in the town of Hiddenite, which is named after the gem found at the mine. On a personal note this is the favorite mine of myself and my family.
It’s the only Emerald Mine in the United States that is open to the public for prospecting. This mine has at least 64 different naturally occurring minerals and gems. They have a nice gift shop and also can make jewelry out of the stones you find. They have slucing, creeking and digging for gems. They have a campground, and are hosts to lots of fieldtrips from local schools. They are open from 8 am to sunset 364 days a year, closed on Christmas Day. They will rent the proper tools for mining to you, if you didn’t bring your own.
They are located in Spruce Pine North Carolina. They now have an online store that is worth checking out. They have flume mining and an aquamarine mine. This mine was featured on “The Learning Channel” They will make your stones into jewelry for you as well.
Emerald Village
Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland North Carolina. This is more than just a mine. You can visit the Bon Ami mine and see authentic mining equipment in a historical mine. While touring the mine, make sure to bring a camera for the scenery including a beautiful waterfall. They also have gem mining in a fresh water flume.
Thermal City Gold Mine
http://www.huntforgold.com/
Located near Marion North Carolina on highway 221 open March 1 to November 30. The mine consists of a 1 mile section of the Second Broad River and 85 acres of Placer Mine Deposits. They also have a gem mining operation. They also have camping spots and showers in addition to 4 rental cabins.
Sheffield Mine
Located in Franklin North Carolina. They say on their website not to use map quest to find them, as you will get lost. They are open 7 days a week from April 1st through October 31st. This is a Ruby and Sapphire Mine, you can watch them make jewelry from your stones or you can even take jewelry making classes.
The Rose Creek Mine
Also located in Franklin North Carolina. It’s been operating since 1952. You can mine for Rubies, Sapphires, Garnets, Topaz and much more. They have a covered flume so you can mine even if it rains. They have a nice gift shop and and will sell gem dirt to go. They are also next door to their very nice Rose Creek Campground. You can trout fish at the campground, then go next door to do some mining, it don’t get better than that!
These are just a few of the gem mines in North Carolina, and if you go mining take the kids they will love it. If you’re a native or a tourist to North Carolina, you will enjoy a trip to the mines, who knows maybe you will even strike it rich. Good luck and good mining!
