Panning for Gems, a Great Family Activity in the North Carolina Mountains

Most mines sell gem dirt in a bucket or bag. You are provided with a screen for washing and there is a flume – a trough of running water. You pour some dirt in the screen, dunk the screen in the water and the water washes the mud away. It is an inexpensive activity that young children especially will enjoy. See what gems and quartz you can find!

Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine

Address: Hwy 441
Cherokee
NC
28719

Call: 828-497-6574

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Choose from a wide variety of bags and buckets; all equipment is furnished for free. All gem mining and gold panning troughs are covered and offer seating. Bring your gems to the assay office for identification and then utilize the lapidary and jeweler for polishing and setting. And don't forget to visit the gem, gift, and rock shop before you go. Open year round.

Deep Creek Tube Center Mining Company

Address: 1090 West Deep Creek Rd.
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: info@deepcreekcamping.com

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Only gem mine in Bryson City. Located at Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground; open April through October. Different size bags of gem dirt for sale at the campground store. Covered flume allows you to mine rain or shine. Who knows what you might find!

Nantahala River Gem Mine

Contact Name: Brenda Dills

Address: 12121 Hwy 19 W
Bryson City
NC
28713

Email: raft@carolinaoutfitters.com

Call: 800-468-7238

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Phone Two: Fax: 828-488-4739

Phone Three: Local: 828-488-6345

Gemstone material comes from both the local area, and from mines all over the world. Some gems you may find include rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnets, topaz, amethyst, rose quartz and many more!

Carolina Bound Adventures Gem Mining

Contact Name: Mark Van Osdal

Address: P.O. Box 61
Almond
NC
28702

Email: mark@carolinaboundadventures.com

Call: 727-267-7232

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Do you want to book adventures like Gem Mining plus multiple other Adventures while you’re here for vacation? Save time making reservations and do it all at one website! Our adventure planning and reservation concierge service consolidates your vacation research and planning in one place. Visit our website, choose your desired adventures like Gem Mining and we’ll make the reservations plus set up your itinerary!

The History of WNC Gem Mining

Mining for ruby and sapphire began in the Western North Carolina mountains in the late 1800s. Called corundum, the minerals were mined commercially to use as abrasives on everything from sandpaper to large machines used in machining metals, plastics and wood. Corundum and other minerals, mica and kaolin were shipped out of the mountains in large quantities. Mining companies had an interest in the area, hoping to find the source of the rubies found in the corundum mines. Their search ended in the early part of the 20th century leaving the area open to rock hounds and gem enthusiasts.

Bryson City - Swain County
Chamber of Commerce
210 Main Street
P.O. Box 509
Bryson City, NC 28713

Karen Proctor Wilmot
Executive Director

800-867-9246 toll-free

828-488-3681 local

828-488-6858 fax