
Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine is the perfect place to find and authenticate amazing stones such as amethyst, rubies, sapphires, and endless others. Work to find some of the world’s most rare gems right here in North Carolina. Found a piece you think has value? Their expert staff can help you authenticate it and cut it for the jewelry of your choosing! This mine offers covered flumes so you can mine for gems in all types of weather.
Cowee mountain ruby mine franklin nc how to#
You will learn how to use the equipment, as well as identify the “diamond in the rough”. This mine helps teach beginners the process of mining. Here are the top gem mines to visit while you are in Franklin, NC. Note that most mines are seasonal, opening from spring through autumn, so plan your trip accordingly. If you are visiting the “Gem Capital of the World”, mining for gems is a must. Let us help you plan your trip to this wonderful mountain town with our pick of the best things to do in Franklin, North Carolina. But gems are only a part of this town’s charm. The town has welcomed numerous miners since its origination, boasting a vast treasure trove of gems and minerals for the taking. Known as the “Gem Capital of the World”, this mountain community has a long history of visitors. The property is really small and pretty and the customer service was the best I have received at any mine yet.If you want to a healthy balance of learning, exercise, and fun, Franklin, North Carolina has the perfect combination for you. The experience was perfect, I would definitely go back and dig deeper! You can also camp here or bring food for a picnic, which I would love to do as well. There were two associates walking around the whole time assisting people in how to wash and go through the rocks thoroughly and everyone I saw there found something of interest to take home, even if was something small. The buckets are small and easy to carry and the walking distance is not far from where you go through them. I got there later in the day, but if you go early, you can haul buckets down for hours. I was there for two hours and found three small sapphires totally 1.6 carats.nothing fancy, but I found them with my own eyes after being shown exactly what to look for, which made it totally worth the experience. You get two buckets and go over a small bridge to the dig sites and can dig anywhere, as deep as you want anywhere in the marked areas. I had no experience in mining or gems, just a real interest in learning, and the folks here are happy to help and teach. There were hummingbirds and butterflies and dragonflies everywhere and the people at the desk and sitting out front were so helpful and friendly. To the owner of this fine establishment, stay salty and maybe one day I might even come and try your mine out.Īfter visiting a different mine that I had a terrible experience with, I tried one last time and ended up here and was SO glad I did! From the moment I walked on property, it was beautiful. 30$ is pretty much the general admission for most public mines. It just really drives me crazy when people give a mining company bad reviews because they had bad luck or tried for an hour and gave up. If you want someone to hold your hand and show you how to do everything, go to "Gold Rush Great Gem Adventure" and buy salted buckets for your impatient 4 year old. Its nice sure, but shouldn't be expected.

Its not the employees jobs to sit you down and tell you what to do, what to look for or tell you what you found. "Oh no my clothes got muddy mining", "my 5 year old got mad because he didn't find a gem" "I paid 30$ and found nothing" boo-hoo!!! This isn't a place to take kids and expect for them to find a handful of gems. It's not Emerald Village or any other commercial clone meant for grandkids and middle aged moms. To all the people crying about "not finding anything", its a freaking mine y'all. Ill volunteer to say what the owner cant. Dang! I've never been to this mine, but I am loving what is being said by the mining company to the low star reviews!! Zingers all around! Only, the grammar could be better.
