Dig your own gems

[Diggins]

"Hi Joanne,Herkimer diamonds can be found in Herkimer NY If your looking for something close but North Carolina is good for Saphires,rubys and emeralds or Arkansaw for diamonds.I've been to North Carolina and found tons of cool stuff including a bunch of saphires __________________
"Be who you are & say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter & those who matter don'tmind."
Dr. Seuss"

Rip-
Where in NC did you hunt for the gems you mentioned? I just moved here in Aug.

Thanks.

[JoAnne]

Diggins - excuse me for jumping in here but I have been doing some checking. Do a serach on Franklin NC. They seems to have a large number of dig your own gem mines. If you decide to go and do this I would be interested in your experiences. Happy Hunting. JoAnne

[rip]

Originally Posted by Diggins

"Hi Joanne,Herkimer diamonds can be found in Herkimer NY If your looking for something close but North Carolina is good for Saphires,rubys and emeralds or Arkansaw for diamonds.I've been to North Carolina and found tons of cool stuff including a bunch of saphires __________________
"Be who you are & say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter & those who matter don'tmind."
Dr. Seuss"

Rip-
Where in NC did you hunt for the gems you mentioned? I just moved here in Aug.

Thanks.

Joanne got it ! Franklin N.C.Good luck and let us know if you find any.HH !

[Diggins]

Joanne, I did that search and found Sheffield Mine - Franklin, NC. This looks like a blast. I need to call but I don't think they open till April 1st. I will for sure have to throw the tent in the car and head that way. I think it's about 400miles from where I am at. Be a good weekend!.

[JoAnne]

Wow Diggins - that is not too far from you. It is over 1040 miles from me but I am planning on checking it out this summer. If you go please let me know what you think. There are several mines in that area depending on which gems you want to dig for. Happy Diggin

[oberkill]

I took the family to Franklin NC last year and had a great time. I recommend Sheffield mine as they do not seed the dirt what you find is really treasure hunting. We found over 200 ct.s of Rubies, I found one large over 40 ct stone and the wife found quite a few in the 15-30 range. We had 4 cut and they turned out great. The whole thing was a great time and we plan on making that our family vacation every year. I have some pics of the cut stones but its hard to get a good picture on the scanner. They just dont show the star in two of the stones or the color that you get from them in daylight. I will post them for you if you want.

Alan

Here are a couple of links.
Sheffield Mine Homepage
Franklin, NC; Mountain Treasures. Simple Pleasures

[JoAnne]

Alan - I would love to see the stones. Was it expensive to get them cut? Just curious. Thanks for the information. I am definitely going to check this out. I am also planning on doing the Herkimer Diamond Mine in May. Will keep you all posted.

[PAPPY]

ALAN, Let me know when you plan on being in Franklin and I just might meet you there to do some digging.

[PAPPY]

Gem mining in the Ruby Capital of the World

Here ya go Boobie

[PAPPY]

Boobie, here another place close to me that I have been to many many times...Lot of fun and Emeralds too...

North Carolina Hiddenite Gems Emerald Hollow Mine Information Page