#Ruby mine franklin north carolina series
It was mined for emeralds by Tiffany and Company and a series of property owners between 1894 and the 1990s. This granitic pegmatite filled a two-meter-wide fracture which contained emerald along the walls of the fracture and yellow beryl in the center. So, plan your gem-hunting vacation to North Carolina!Ĭrabtree Emerald Mine pegmatite: A specimen of the Crabtree Pegmatite of western North Carolina. Imagine what it would be like to own a great ring or other piece of jewelry and be able to say that you found the beautiful stone?īeing totally honest, the odds are against you finding something like that on your first visit, but many people have made spectacular finds. Some local businesses have skilled gem cutters and bench jewelers who can turn a nice piece of rough that you find into a beautiful piece of jewelry. Members of the North Carolina Legislature declared emerald the state's official gemstone. Moonstone, rose quartz, ruby, sapphire, smoky quartz, staurolite, topaz, tourmaline, and many others. Gem materials found in North Carolina include aquamarine, There are more pay-to-dig mines in North Carolina than in any other state in the nation. The mines are very popular and attract thousands of visitors during the summer months. If you want to look for gems yourself, here is a directory of pay-to-dig mines in North Carolina and other states. Some of the mines and other gem-producing localities are still open, but instead of being mined by a company, they are now mined by people like you. That article was written when some mines were in their peak of production. If you want to read a great summary of North Carolina gemstones, see Joseph Hyde Pratt's classic article titled: Gems and Gem Minerals of North Carolina in the 1933 edition of American Mineralogist. Recent reports on the Huffington Post and ABC News websites describe how some visitors have found emeralds worth over $10,000 in-the-rough. They are even more surprised when they learn that there are about a dozen locations in North Carolina where anyone can look for gemstones and keep anything that they find.
Contact Carolina Cabin Rentals for great deals, stay a while and relax.Most people are surprised to hear that rubies, sapphires, and emeralds have been found in North Carolina. While visiting the Old Cardinal Gem Mine and Franklin, North Carolina, stay in a beautiful mountain cabin only minutes from the mine. Come and play in the dirt gem mining in Franklin North Carolina at The Old Cardinal Gem Mine.
It's also exciting when you find beautiful gemstones sitting at the bottom of your screen after cleaning the dirt and clay away. Gem mining is a great way to spend the day having fun with the whole family.
You can either dig your own dirt directly from our pile or just purchase buckets that have already been filled. The Old Cardinal Gem Mine offers a great family environment and a safe place for the children to play in the dirt and have a fantastic time. to sunset and Saturday by appointmment only. The mine is open Sunday thru Friday from 9 a.m. Franklin North Carolina's Old Cardinal Gem Mine has been in operation for over 40 years producing sapphires, rubies, amethyst, moonstone and garnet. Franklin NC gem mines have produced sapphires and rubies that are quite large, some even hundreds of carats. Gem Mining Testimonials Where We Are Shopping Cart Contact UsįUN AND EXCITEMENT AWAIT YOU AT THE OLD CARDINAL GEM MINE!įranklin North Carolina is known as the "Gem Mining Capital Of The World". Old Cardinal Gem Mine | Gem Mine Franklin NC gem mining, franklin gem mining, franklin north carolina gem mining, gem mining franklin north carolina, gem mining nc, franklin nc gem mines