Discover and Celebrate the Bliss of the Asheville Area Rock, Mineral and Gemstone Resources

Mineral Museums

Colburn Earth Science Museum
"... The Museum's primary collection includes some 4,500 specimens from North Carolina and around the world. The Hall of Minerals features the best specimens such as an amethyst crystal cluster from Due West, South Carolina; a green fluorite from the Hamme Mine, Townsville, North Carolina; and ruby in zoisite from Tanzania. The Museum's gem collection includes over 1,000 cut gemstones from North Carolina and around the world. Included is the Sondley Gem Collection of North Carolina gems set in North Carolina gold from the collection of Foster A. Sondley, an important turn-of-the-century resident of Western North Carolina. The Gem Room includes a 220 carat blue topaz from Brazil, a 2,405.5 carat boulder opal from Australia, and rare gems such as hiddenite and stibiotantalite...." Located at 2 Pack Square in Downtown Asheville.

Franklin Gem and Mineral Society
"... Thousands of Specimen on Display! Gems, Minerals, Fossils, Indian Artifacts, Fluorescent Mineral Display, Sea Shells, and Much More...." Admission is free.Map

Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson Country (Hendersonville)
"... 400 N Main St MAP

Museum of North Carolina Minerals
The Spruce Pine mining district is so rich in minerals that most of the 300+ varieties of North Carolina minerals can be found there."... Recently renovated, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals introduces the treasures found in the Spruce Pine Mining District through interactive displays on the wide variety of minerals and gems found in the region. Located at milepost 331 on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Gillespie Gap, the Museum provides an introduction to the importance of mining in the region and the mineral and gem wealth found here. Work is continuing on new interactive displays that will take you deep inside a mountain to see how gems and minerals are formed...." MAP

Rock, Gem and Mineral Societies and Clubs

Colburn Earth Science Museum Junior Rockhound Club
"... after school Junior Rockhounds Club... meets once a month, is a great way for rock loving kids ages 6 – 10 to learn about minerals and their uses while building a nice collection of rock, mineral and crystal specimens. Each Rockhound will receive one or two mineral specimens for his or her collection at each meeting. Geologist Mr. Phil will educate them on the mineral's properties and uses and then all the Rockhounds participate in a fun rock-related activity or craft. Rockhounds will also receive an introductory rock and mineral guide, a collector's box and a mineral activity book at he first meeting...."

Franklin Gem and Mineral Society

Henderson County Gem and Mineral Society

Southern Appalachian Mineral Society "....Welcome to the online home of the Southern Appalachian Mineral Society. We are organized to promote popular interest and education in the various earth sciences, in particular, mineralogy; to foster exchange of knowledge of lapidary techniques; and to promote good fellowship. Founded in 1931, we are one of the oldest mineral societies in the nation, with membership extending into many states. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, it is in the center of an area which has the largest variety of gems and minerals in the country. S.A.M.S., sponsored in part by the Asheville Park and Recreation Department, is a nonprofit organization whose membership is open to all interested applicants...."

Mountain Area Gem and Mineral Association
"... we now have the largest, most active fieldtrip club in the Southeast and we are continuing to grow daily. Our club is very active in promoting Rockhounding, Mineralology, Geology, and Earth Science in the community, we work hand in hand with the Forest Service to keep collecting sites in the National and State Forests open to all Rockhounds. We also work with private property owners to maintain collecting sites on their property. Volunteers are always welcome to help with policing collecting sites, removing trash, reporting violations, i.e., improper digging/collecting practices which violate Forest Service rules and regulations. While many clubs have monthly meetings and have much to offer, most conduct maybe one field trip per month. We are a very active club and spend as much time as possible in the field. Trips are planned throughout the month, every month, to various mines in the W.N.C. area. We also conduct overnight trips, some up to several days, to numerous collecting sites in the southeast. While all our members cannot attend all the trips, the opportunity is always there for them to participate when possible. Field experience is the best way for beginning rockhounds to gain firsthand knowledge of the hobby, and for advanced collectors to expand their collections. All our field trips are guided by an experienced collector who will help newcomers with questions and instruct them on how and where to find minerals in the field. M•A•G•M•A conducts itself in accordance with the rockhounds' code of ethics. There is no fee to join M•A•G•M•A., Children of all ages are welcome to join the club with their parents or guardians...." Here's a schedule of field trips.. including trips to Graves Mountain, SC, amethyst mines, coal fields for fossils, etc.

Rock and Gem Stores, Specimens

The Compleat Naturalist
Tumbler kits, gold pans Located in Biltmore Village on 25A.

Enter the Earth
"... specializes in minerals and fossils from Madagascar, while also featuring unusual specimens from many other localities around the world.  Beside specimens, we have an array of unique gifts and jewelry created with rock, mineral, and fossil lovers in mind...." Located in the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville.

Ruby City Gems
Franklin, NC

The Silver Armadillo
(Asheville) "...a showroom of Jewelry, Minerals, Fossils, Beads, Craft Supplies, Lapidary Equipment, Tools, Rock Tumblers and Supplies..." Located in Westgate Shopping Center next to EarthFare. MAP and directions

Gem Mining in Buncombe, Haywood and Madison Counties

Old Pressley Sapphire Mine
"... Located in Haywood County, near Canton North Carolina, the Old Pressley Sapphire Mine is one of the oldest operating mines in western North Carolina.  Made famous by the discovery of the 1445 carat "Star of the Carolinas," the mine contains abundant quantities of Sapphires, moonstones, and other  precious minerals in sufficient quantity to make rock collecting both pleasurable and profitable....

Gem Mining in Cowee Valley near Franklin in Macon County

".... Nestled in a beautiful green valley of Western North Carolina are the world-famous Cowee Valley Ruby Mines. The Cherokee Indians had a name for the valley. They called in ANI KAWI, the Place of the Deer. The valley floor is approximately 2200 feet above sea-level and it is surrounded by mountain peaks that are between 3500 to 4000 feet above sea-level. These mines have been operating continuously for over 100 years on both a commercial and private basis. Although the mines were first officially reported by Dr. George F. Kunz of Tiffany's of New York in the publication, Mineral Resources of the U.S., in the year 1893, gemstones have been picked-up and mined here by the natives of the area long before that time...." CLICK HERE for the rest of the story

Rose Creek Mine "... Operating since 1952, Rose Creek Mine is one of 3 state licensed gem mines in Macon County, North Carolina. Centrally located in Western North Carolina in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, we are near waterfalls, white-water rafting, AT Trail hiking, museums, antique shops, historic train rides and the Cherokee Indian Reservation. In our Gem Mine you can find Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet, Amethyst, Citrine, Moonstone, Topaz, Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz, Quartz Crystals and more! All equipment is provided and we help beginners. You dig your own dirt in our mining tunnel and wash the dirt away in our covered flume. Mine rain or shine. ..."

Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine
"... One of the last Macon County's mines where you still dig your own dirt, which can contain different color sapphires or rubies. Three flumes with ample running water coming from the Burningtown Creek (stocked trout stream) are available to wash your dirt to expose the gravels containing the gemstones. The stream water can be very chilly, so you may want some latex lined gloves while you are washing your gravel. Glass beverage containers shall not be permitted, but metal or plastic are allowed. Over the years, many stones have come out of this mine which was leased to the Tiffany Company in the latter part of the last century for abrasive material, corundum, and has been in the Mason's family since then. Currently managed by Pete Civitello, Patsy Ukele, and Norman Holloway. On July 20, 2007, a 40 carat pink sapphire was found by a lucky miner, a nice find, and on July 22 there were a 24 and a 21.5 carat gemstones found. Several miners went away with over 100 carats of sapphires and rubies that same day...." MAP

Sheffield Mine
"... one of the oldest Ruby Mines still in operation in the Cowee Valley. This mine was once owned by Tiffany's, but for the past 60 years or so,it has been available to the public! Even though this mine has beenin operation for so many years, "There's still Rubies in them thar hills! " Oh, yeah! Honkers are found on a regular basis and smaller rubies and sapphires are quite numerous...." DIRECTIONS

Guide to Gem Mining in the Franklin, North Carolina Area!
".... Gem mining has been a favorite activity for visitors to the Franklin area for years. As you read on you'll discover our heritage as "Gem Capital of the World" as well as how to mine, what to look for as you mine and complete descriptions of active mines in the greater Franklin area... Keep in mind most mines are open from spring through autumn...."