Expert: Bill Cissna Date: 6/4/2008 Subject: gem mining
Question Is there a best place in NC for gem mining? Are all the mines "salted" or are some real places to find your own? Thanks
Answer I'm not sure if there is a "best place," but there are several areas that are good candidates.
I'm pretty sure that there is some "mine your own" done in and around Hiddenite, NC, which is north of I-40 a little west of Statesville.
Two mountain towns that have quite a bit of "gem mining" (some of it certainly is touristy, though not all) are Franklin, NC, and Spruce Pine, NC. Spruce Pine is near the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Asheville. Franklin is down near the SC border south of Sylva area.
And one other place I have been that I know offers buckets AND dig-your-own is in Haywood County west of Asheville off I-40. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of it, but it's the only one in that county, I believe, and I think includes "Sapphire Mine" in its name.
