Gem Mining in North Carolina

Looking for something unique to do in our corner of North Carolina? Sometimes you have to dig deep! Maybe not as deep as miners from the 19th century, but just a little bit of elbow grease and exploration can help you experience a small piece of the Tar Heel State’s history.

Fifty minutes east of Cherokee Mountain Cabins in Franklin, NC, you’ll find a town dedicated to mining! You’ll be able to try your hand at these gem hunting practices with your entire travel party. Everybody of every age loves unlocking their inner prospector, and in this guide we’ll highlight some of the benefits of each mining attraction in Franklin, NC. We hope you walk away with treasured memories.

Sheffield Mine 

Address: 385 Sheffield Farms Rd, Franklin, NC

Hours: 10AM - 5PM (April 1 - October 31)

Sheffield Mine is one of the first places you might think to go gem mining. They offer an extensive and comprehensive list of mining options. With your admission, you’ll uncover two buckets of stone, dirt, gravel, and hopefully, gems.

After you’ve finished the hands-on mining expedition, you can wander inside and learn the history of some of the ruby mines in Franklin, NC. 

Prices

Admission Fee: $20 per person

• Includes Two Starter Buckets
• You’ll be able to use a screening tray, a tin can, and zip bag
• Access to seats at the flume lines, the pond overlook, picnicking areas, grills, and restrooms.
• Help with your mining experience.

Here are the non-starter bucket options:

Emerald Buckets: $50

Silver Lining Rainbow Bucket: $50 (Bigger Bucket to share on the go)

Big Easy Rainbow Bucket: $100 (An even BIGGER Bucket to share with someone else)

Old Cardinal Gem Mine 

Address: 71 Rockhaven Dr, Franklin, NC

Hours: 9AM - 5PM

This rustic mine offers a fun day of gem mining throughout the year. You can find many rare gems on the premises, including the rare Rhodolite, Ruby, Sapphire, and Moonstone rocks. They offer cold drinks, snacks, restrooms and mining equipment to help you on your excavation endeavors.

You can purchase gems from the property online, including earrings, setpieces, and rings.

Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine 

Address: 41 Cherokee Mine Rd, Franklin, NC

Hours: 10AM - 4PM

Price: $35 a person

The Cherokee Mine is the only facility in town that allows you to get down in the mines to carve your own path. You won’t be handed mining buckets here, but you’ll instead be able to walk through certain sections of the property to search for gems. 

It can be a physically demanding process, and it’s not what everybody might want from their mining experience, but Cherokee Mine offers the most authentic ruby mining adventure in town.

This is a cash-only facility. They don’t take cards or checks.

Rose Creek Mine 

Address: 115 Terrace Ridge Dr, Franklin, NC

Hours: 9AM - 5PM

Price: $15 per bucket, $5 per refill

Rose Creek Mine offers many bucket options just like Sheffield Mine. This mine is geared toward younger kids. Enhanced buckets can range in price from $25-$400 per bucket. The bigger the bucket, the bigger the chance you’ll have at picking out some gems. Group rates are available for giant families or tourist groups.

Do you want the gems without the labor? You can buy a bag at the onsite store. Each bag will contain rubies, sapphires, garnets, or a mix of all these sparkly guys.

Book at Cherokee Mountain Cabins 

Enjoy the beautiful rolling hills and mountains of Appalachia at Cherokee Mountain Cabins. We are close to many of the natural, beautiful attractions that people love about the area, such as Nantahala National Forest and Nantahala Gorge, but we remain close to this awesome mining town.