|
CHEROKEE CABINS NC SMOKY MOUNTAINS BRYSON CITY - NORTH CAROLINA | home
NC Smoky Mountains Attractions | NC Smoky Mountains Hiking | Rafting and Tubing in North Carolina Mountains | Smoky Mountains Railroad | North Carolina Waterfalls | Smoky Mountains Wildlife | CHEROKEE INDIAN RESERVATION | Horseback Riding | WEDDING CHAPELS | North Carolina Mountains Fishing | North Carolina Skiing | North Carolina Gem Mining | NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS SCENIC DRIVES | Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Tubing Deep Creek
|
|||||
|
|
North Carolina Gem Mining
If you are a rock hound, a trip to the Gem Capital of Franklin, NC is a must. Most gem mining in the North Carolina Mountains is found in Franklin, North Carolina, located south of Dillsboro, Franklin. There are many gem mines located in the Cowee Valley north and west of Franklin. Most of the mines have powered water sluice where you may sift through the dirt and rock called fluming that you obtain while prospecting in these gem mines. These mines contain rubies, gold, amethyst, aquamarine, sapphires, garnets and many other types of stones. The world's largest blue star sapphires were found in one of the mines in the Cowee Valley. This entire area is a gem hunters heaven.
Franklin is called “The Ruby City.”
Most of the mines sell gem dirt in a bucket or bag and some allow digging. Admission fees may be charged for the day at some mines so call ahead for details. The mines provide you with a screen for washing the gems, a water trough which is called a flume and something to sit on. The dirt goes in the screen, the screen goes in the water and the dirt gets washed away in the flume. Screening gems can be a fun activity for the entire family.
|
||||