Pay-To-Dig Gem Mines in North Carolina

The only emerald mine in the US open to the public for prospecting. Dig, sluice, or creek-walk for emeralds, hiddenite, aquamarine, garnet, and quartz. Over 13 different gemstone varieties have been found here. Located in the heart of the Hiddenite gem district — the only place in the world where hiddenite (green spodumene) is found.

Spruce Pine is the epicenter of the world's supply of ultra-pure quartz used in semiconductor manufacturing — and the surrounding district has numerous fee-dig operations for gem tourmaline, emerald, aquamarine, and ruby. Several commercial operations offer sluicing and in-ground digging experiences in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Dig for genuine rubies and sapphires in native creek gravel from the famous Cowee Valley corundum belt — one of the most productive ruby-bearing regions in the eastern US. Native material is available for the most authentic experience. The Cowee Valley in Macon County, NC has produced rubies since the 1800s.

Dig for genuine rubies and sapphires in native creek gravel from the famous Cowee Valley corundum belt. One of the most productive ruby-bearing regions in the eastern US. Keep everything you find.

Screen native Cowee Valley gravel for rubies, sapphires, and rare rhodolite garnets. Family-friendly operation with covered sluices. One of the original Cowee Valley fee-dig mines.

Saturday public digs at this North Carolina gem mine near Hiddenite. Find genuine corundum, sapphires, garnets, and quartz in native material. Kids 16 and under dig free with a paying adult.

Dig for feldspar, mica, quartz, and occasional gems in the world-famous Spruce Pine mining district — the source of the purest quartz on Earth. Multiple fee-dig operations operate seasonally in this unique pegmatite zone.

Dig native North Carolina pegmatite ground for emeralds, hiddenite, sapphires, and aquamarine in the Hiddenite gem district. Guided tours available with expert gem identification. One of the most gemologically diverse fee-dig sites in the East.

Dig native Cowee Valley material for sapphires, rubies, and garnets at this traditional North Carolina family mine. Known for producing large star sapphires and fine corundum. One of the oldest continuously operating Cowee mines.

Dig pegmatite ore and screen tailings from the Sheffield Mine in Stony Point NC — in the heart of the Alexander County emerald belt. Find hiddenite, emerald, aquamarine, garnet, and moonstone.

Dig for corundum, garnets, and quartz at this annual event mine in western North Carolina. Multiple mine cuts open during the gem festival season. Great opportunity to collect from authentic pegmatite ground with expert geological staff on hand.

One of the top-rated native ground ruby and sapphire mines in the Cowee Valley. Buckets of genuine creek gravel contain real rubies, sapphires, and garnets.

The only emerald mine in the US open to the public. Dig in the actual pegmatite veins or sluice for emeralds, hiddenite, aquamarine, sapphire, garnet, tourmaline, and more.

Located at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, sluice for gems and minerals with help from friendly staff. Great for families visiting Cherokee.

Creek sluicing for rubies, sapphires, and garnets in the scenic mountains of Macon County. Native material from Cowee Valley.

Located at the Blue Ridge Parkway mineral museum, collect feldspar, mica, and quartz from the famous Spruce Pine mineral district.

Sluice for rubies, sapphires, and the rare hiddenite (green spodumene) found only in this county in the world.

Dig in an active emerald and hiddenite pegmatite — the only location in the world where gem-quality hiddenite is found. Keep everything you find.

Sluice for native rubies, sapphires, and garnets from genuine Cowee Valley gravel. Family friendly with covered sluicing stations.

Dig through native Cowee Valley material for rubies, sapphires, and garnets. One of Franklin's most popular gem mines with friendly staff.

Sluice for native emeralds, aquamarine, and garnets in the heart of the North Carolina mineral belt. Enriched buckets also available.

Collect amethyst, smoky quartz and other minerals from this North Carolina pegmatite.

Only emerald mine open to the public in the USA. Multiple mining methods available including sluicing and creeking.

Take a guided underground tour and collect minerals from North Carolina's gem country.

Native gem gravel sluicing with a huge variety of minerals and gems.

Bucket mining for rubies and sapphires in the mountains of North Carolina.

Sluice for rubies, sapphires and other gems in Franklin, the gem capital of the world.

Sluice for gemstones from Brushy Creek, North Carolina with guaranteed finds.

Sluice for gemstones and minerals in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains.

Famous for large star sapphires found in Cowee Valley, NC.

One of the most productive gem mines in Franklin, NC. Sluice for rubies, sapphires and more.

Mine the source of hiddenite (green spodumene), the rarest gem in North America.