#Diamond rush brevard nc plus#

Garnets are glassy red, pink or reddish brown. Gemstones come in every color from white to black. The '3 Cs' of gem mining are Color, Clarity and Crystals. Mine operators are on hand to help with technique and identification. The dirt goes in the screen, the screen goes in the water and the mud is washed away. You are provided with a screen for washing and there is a flume - a trough of running water - with a bench along its length. Most mines sell gem dirt in a bucket or bag (few allow digging). Bring a picnic lunch since most mines provide a place to eat outside. Wear old clothes and tennis shoes or boots and bring a plastic bag to put your muddy shoes in and an extra pair to wear in the car.

And a hat and some sunblock if it's sunny, although many mines provide cover on the 'flume'.

Rubber gloves are handy if it's chilly or you have a nice manicure. 115 Terrace Ridge Dr, Franklin.īring Ziploc bags or a plastic butter dish to take your stones home in (no glass). Find special buckets, gem kits, lapidary supplies, jewelry, Opals and a world-class collection of minerals. Rose Creek Mine: They have Rubies, Sapphires, Garnets, Emeralds and so much more. Gold City Gem Mine: Home of the 1061-karat sapphire, sift native and enriched buckets. These gems occur naturally in the Cowee Valley. There are many gem mines to choose from - especially the Cowee Valley.Ĭherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine: Their mine is not 'salted' or 'enriched' and contains only native North Carolina gemstones, including Rubies, Sapphires, Garnets, Moonstones, Rhodolite, Rutile and Sillimanite. Gem Mines near Franklin, NCįranklin, 'the gem capital of the world', is located about 65 miles west of Asheville. The flumes are covered for rain or shine mining. They also have a location in downtown Hendersonville at 507 North Main Street.Įlijah Mountain Gem Mine: Located in Hendersonville, mine for gems that include Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Quartz crystals, Citrine, Amethyst, Garnets, Aventurine, Sodalite, Opal, Fluorite, Aquamarine and many more.

#Diamond rush brevard nc plus#

Rock and gift shop, plus picnic area by the river. Covered indoor and outdoor mining for year-round fun. Pisgah Forest Gem Mine: Located near the entrance of the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, the mine features Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Aquamarine, Topaz and other precious or semi-precious gems and fossils. Gem Mountain is located on Highway 226 between Spruce Pine and the Blue Ridge Parkway, about an hour north of Asheville. Gem Mountain: Find lots of local materials such as Crabtree Emerald, Wiseman and Brushy Creek Aquamarine, as well as Moonstones, Garnets, Citrine, Amethyst, Rubies, Sapphires and others brought fresh to the mine daily. Located on the French Broad River in a park with an authentic 8' waterwheel, water tower, mining sluice, old time wagon and Teepee. Read more.Īsheville Outdoor Center: Grab a bucket and sluicing box and find some real gemstones, Rubies, Sapphires and fossils near downtown Asheville and Biltmore. South of Marion, about 43 miles east of Asheville. Pan for gold and gems, talk to a real prospector and explore the 'Old West' buildings with plenty of interesting things to see. Thermal City Gold Mine: Visit this authentic gold mine, early site of the local 1800s gold rush. Before or after panning for gems and gold, take a tour of the NC Mining Museum to an underground mine. TOP PICK! Emerald Village: This fascinating group of gem, mining and historical attractions (photo above) is located a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland - near Spruce Pine. Also find some impressive collections of gems in several museums. Most of the authentic mines for panning are in two areas: Spruce Pine and Franklin. Gem mining has been a favorite activity for visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for years, with a history of mining that goes back centuries.