NC stands for North Carolina. North Carolina is the one of the state in the southeastern region of the United States. This region is popular for its rich history and nature. And also one more reason, gemstones can be found here.
Gemstones are found in North Caroline since 200 years back. It is a home to wide variety of gems including garnets, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and many more beauties. In this blog, we will explore “where to find gemstones in NC and many other related information.
Types of Gemstones Found in North Carolina
Now, we know that North Carolina is rich with lots of gemstones. These are some of the stones which are found in this particular region:
1. Emeralds
In the U.S., North Carolina is the only state where emerald stone is found. But the emerald is not much of high quality and big in size than the other parts of the world. Still, they are appreciated for their beauty by the people.
2. Garnets
It is a common stone found in this state. It is found in multiple colors such as red, green and yellow.
3. Sapphires
Sapphires also found in this North Carolina state. Miners came to this place to find the highest quality of gemstones here. This gem is available in colors like blue, pink, yellow, and green.
4. Aquamarine
Aquamarine is another stone found in this amazing state. It is found in two colors: blue and green. Aquamarine found in the state are of high value and high quality.
5. Rubies
This is the second stone found in the North Carolina state. They are also small and less valuable like emerald but are prized for their beauty all around the globe by the people.
6. Topaz
This is the last and most common stone found in this area. It is found in two colors: yellow and blue. People came here to find the high value and high quality topaz.
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Where to Find Gemstones in North Carolina?
There are multiple places in North Carolina where you can find gemstones. Some of the places we have mentioned here:
1. Emerald Hollow Mine
This place is situated in Hiddenite, North Carolina. It is one of the most popular place for finding gemstones in the state. You need to pay some amount of money to get the permissions for searching gemstones like emeralds, aquamarine, garnets, and many more. Emerald Hollow Mine offers tour of it and also it has a gift shop to purchase gemstones and jewelry.
2. Gem Mountain
This mountain is located in the Spruce Pine of North Carolina. It is another place to find popular gemstones in this reason. You are offered to purchase buckets of dirt dig from this mountain. In this bucket you may find stones such as rubies, sapphires, garnets and many more under the dirt.
3. Ray Mica Mine
This mine is situated in the Yancey County of the North Carolina. It is a popular destination for finding stones like rubies and sapphires. Ray Mica Mine is pen for public and people can also search for gemstones in the mine without paying any amount of money.
4. Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine
This mine is situated in the Franklin of the North Carolina. This place is also very popular for finding stones among the public. You can find rubies and sapphires here. You need to pay a small amount of money to search for the stones and they will give a tour in this fees also.
5. Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
This mine is also situated in the Franklin, North Carolina. It is also popular place for finding the high quality and high value rubies and sapphires. Here, also you can pay for a bucket of dirt and try your luck. You may purchase gemstones and jewelry from the gift shop inside this mine area.
6. Crabtree Emerald Mine
This place is situated in the Spruce Pine, in he North Carolina. It is also one of the few places in the United State where you can find emerald gemstones. If you would like to search for the stone in this mine, then you need to pay some pennies.
7. Mineral City Mining Company
This mining company is found in the Spruce Pine in the North Carolina. You can find gemstones like garnets, aquamarine, topaz and many other precious and semi-precious stones. For finding stones, you need to buy a dirt of bucket dig from the mineral city mining company and try your luck in the shifting the dirt in search of gems.
Tips for Collecting Gemstones In the North Carolina
Finding gemstones in the North Carolina state can be fun and adventurous, but you should keep few things in mind to ensure your safety in these new areas to make your trip successful:
1. Research
Before going to any of the locations in the north carolina, you should do some research like what gemstones are found, area conditions, suitable time to visit, best map to carry, etc. These research will help you to carry necessary tools and equipment’s with you.
2. Appropriate Clothing
These places can be messy and dusty for you. It is important to wear right kind of clothes and footwear in the places. You can wear long pants, boots, gloves, and a hat.
3. Carry the Right Tools
In these areas, specific and professional tools will work to dig out the gemstones. Do not carry the general tools that we use in our homes. You can use tools such as shovel, bucket, hammer, sifter, etc. Also check, which tools are allowed and which are not in the mine where are you going.
4. Patient
I may sound stupid with this point but in these areas most people loose their patient and do many harmful mistakes. Finding gemstones is a time consuming process which can only be successful with patient and persistent. A gemstones can easily be missed with some inches of digging.
5. Respect the Nature
We all know that the mining have bad affect on the nature. It is crucial to respect the nature and follow all the rules set by the miners and government authorities. Always dispose the waste properly and avoid damaging the landscape.
In Conclusion
North Carolina is the home and treasure of lots of gemstones. As you know now that there are many places where you can find gemstones in this state. The gemstones found here are not also beautiful but also valuable too. Gemstones like emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets and other gemstones can be found easily. These above mentioned locations offers unique and high quality stones.
READ MORE: When To Wear Gomed Gemstone?
These places offers reward mining experience to their explorers. Do not forget to do your research before going any of these places, carry right kind of tools, have high energy food, lots of water, only then you can make your exploring trip a successful experience in North Carolina.
