Family wanting to find the perfect gemstone hunting experience in North Carolina (Durham: buy) - City-Data Forum

anjoe · 03-02-2008, 12:44 PM

We'll be spending a few days around Durham, NC on our way to Washinton, D.C. in June on our family vacation. We would like to go gemstone hunting for emeralds, sapphires, aquamarine, etc. and would greatly appreciate any information on a place we could go for a exciting mining experience.

mm34b · 03-02-2008, 01:03 PM

The main gem-collecting counties are Alexander (emeralds and hiddenite), Macon (rubies, sapphires, and garnets), and Mitchell (emeralds and aquamarine).

anifani821 · 03-02-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anjoe

We'll be spending a few days around Durham, NC on our way to Washinton, D.C. in June on our family vacation. We would like to go gemstone hunting for emeralds, sapphires, aquamarine, etc. and would greatly appreciate any information on a place we could go for a exciting mining experience.

The closest mine to Durham would be Hiddenite, in Alexander County. The largest emerald in North America was discovered there.

Ladyofwings1368 · 03-04-2009, 10:36 AM

hello there is a gem mine where your can buy a bucket of dirt with different kinds of gems stones in it. In Danbury NC (on Hwy 8 & 89) it's in stokes county. I've been there and I really had fun found right many stones too.

roadpony · 03-04-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladyofwings1368

hello there is a gem mine where your can buy a bucket of dirt with different kinds of gems stones in it. In Danbury NC (on Hwy 8 & 89) it's in stokes county. I've been there and I really had fun found right many stones too.

No offense, but if the OP is going to travel from Durham, he/she is better off going for the "real thing" in Hiddenite than "salted" buckets of dirt in non-native gem areas.

Bulok · 03-04-2009, 04:23 PM

yeah Hiddenite is a great place for mining. Took my mom there when she came to visit from Chicago and she got a couple of rubies and emerald stones from the buckets.

rockinmomma · 03-04-2009, 05:51 PM

I have on my finger right now an emerald my son found at some gem mine near Linville Caverns. It was an impluse stop on a trip five years ago. It is near Marion, up in the mountains. A few hours from Durham. The guy they had working there was very patient with the kids, explaining what each stone was. I can't for the life of me think of the name of the place though. My son also found an onyx the size of his fist ( he was 9 at the time).

fmors · 03-04-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockinmomma

I have on my finger right now an emerald my son found at some gem mine near Linville Caverns. It was an impluse stop on a trip five years ago. It is near Marion, up in the mountains. A few hours from Durham. The guy they had working there was very patient with the kids, explaining what each stone was. I can't for the life of me think of the name of the place though. My son also found an onyx the size of his fist ( he was 9 at the time).

I believe you are talking about Gem Mountain in Spruce Pine, which is about 3.5 hours from Durham.