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| TREASURE HUNTING IN NORTH CAROLINA Add what you know about this area to create a handy guide for other treasure hunters. |
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| What this area is known for: 1.Emeralds 2.Rubies 3.Sapphires 4.Garnets 5. Moonstone 6. Gold 7. Pegmatite minerals | Biggest finds in this area: 1. 1869 carat emerald valued at over 1 million dollars found by Jamie Hill in 2003 2. 488 carat ruby found at the Sheffield mine by Eugene King. He has found 5997 carats of rubies and sapphires http://www.sheffieldmine.com/ 3. 17-pound gold nugget found in Little Meadow Creek in Cabarrus County which launched a North Carolina gold rush 4. The Cherokee Chief Ruby, a gem quality ruby of 1070 carats, was found in 1993 at the Cherokee Ruby Mine. http://www.cherokeerubymine.com/ |
| Local appraisers: 1. 2. 3. 4. | Local geocaching/treasure hunting clubs: 1. http://www.amfed.org/ 2.. 3. 4. |
| Best time of year to go: The Smokies are spectacular any time of the year. Mining though is best during the warmer months -April through October. | Other helpful resources: 1. http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/Default.htm 2. www.franklin-chamber.com 3.Rock, Gem and Mineral Collecting Sites in Western North Carolina By Rick Jacquot |
| Have a question about treasure hunting or geocaching in this region? | |
| THE BEST PLACES TO HUNT Regions can have multiple good spots to go — add details to build a complete guide. |
Location #1: Chunky Gal Mountain  General description: Chunky Gal Mountain and Buck Creek is a must stop on a treasure hunt to North Carolina. Red and pink rubies are found in a green host rock (smaragdite). A prospector can choose to mine the matrix material or shift the dirt around the boulders. The clear cold waters of Buck Creek at the base of Chunky Gal Mountain holds bright red almandine garnets. Also there a specimens of spinel, rutile and other peridotite minerals. | How to get there: The site is just off HWY 64 in Clay County between Hayesville and Franklin, North Carolina. Going east from Hayseville on HWY 64 look for old HWY 64 about a two miles past Shooting Creek. The old highway is the best landmark because it still has some asphalt paving. Turn left on a steep gravel forest road where the old and new highways meet. The site is about a mile up the mountain. Parking is available at the site. The old road parallels the new and leads to Buck Creek Road. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: 35 04.792 N 083 37.656W Chunky Gal 35 05.019 N 083 36.759 W Buck Creek Garnet |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Shifting screens 2. Small sledge hammer 3. Pry bars 4. Gloves 5. Safety Glasses | Helpful notes to newcomers: The site is in the Nantahala National Forest. In order to keep this site open; the rules of conservation must be followed. Leave the site better than you found it. Carry your trash out and be careful with fire. |
| Location #2: Mason's Ruby and Sapphire Mine General description: The Mason Mine is a personal favorite. There is absolutely no salting. Mason is one of the few mines that you can dig your own dirt. Last July a 40 carat pink sapphire was found. If you stay long enough you will find gems. | How to get there: 6961 Upper Burningtown Road Franklin, North Carolina http://www.masonsrubyandsapphiremine.com/ |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Latex lined gloves to keep your hands warm while washing the mine run 2. 3. | Helpful notes to newcomers: There are snacks and drinks available at the mine. |
| Location #3: Gold regions of North Carolina General description: North Carolina has historically produced more gold than any other state in the south east. From the early 1800s gold has been prospected and mined in North Carolina. The Reynolds mine in Montgomery County was owned by a distant ancestor of mine. | How to get there: The following link is to the North Carolina Geological Survey Gold Pages. http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Gold pan 2. Digging tools 3. Depending on your commitment much more productive equipment can be brought along | Helpful notes to newcomers: Join the GPAA to find the best sites and meet people with a common interest - YELLOW GOLD!! http://www.goldfeverprospecting.com/gpaa.html |
| Location #4: Emerald Mines General description: As Kirsten found out North Carolina is emerald country. North Carolina has supplied the largest and most valuable emeralds in the nation.No wonder that in 1973 the emerald was designated the state precious gemstone. | How to get there: Hiddenite North Carolina is east of Taylorsville on HWY 90. Ed Speer, a North Carolina Geologist, has an excellent web site on emerald mines of North Carolina: http://www.northcarolinaemeralds.info/ One of the best mines is the Emerald Hollow Mine http://www.hiddenitegems.com/ |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Screens 2.Tools for digging - shovel & pick 3.Gloves 4. Probe | Helpful notes to newcomers: Emeralds are crystals of of the mineral beryl. You might find a rare crystal of green Hiddenite. Don't discard it. |
| Read Kristen 's report: http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Cash_and_Treasures/ci.Emeralds.show?vgnextfmt=show |
| Location #5: Franklin North Carolina General description: The Gem Capital of North Carolina. It is a regular vacation spot for my family and me. There is always something new to see and do; the mountains, the rivers, the prospecting. My wife will shop till we drop at the gem shows. Some of the best gem, mineral, and fossil shows in the east are held in Franklin. | How to get there: Franklin is in western North Carolina just south of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park on HWY 64. The following link gives information about Franklin including mines in the area , the museum and a calender of events. http://www.franklin-chamber.com/visitorInformation/gemMining.asp |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | Great new web site for visitors to Franklin interested in finding treasures: http://pakasdollmaker.com/gemmining.html |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Prospecting Tools - pick, shovel, rock hammer, pry bar 2. Hiking shoes 3. Safety equipment - safety glasses, first aid kit 4. Screens, pans | Helpful notes to newcomers: This part of the God's creation will capture your heart. You will be back. Plan - but don't over plan your trip, let the county lead your where it will. You will find surprises at every turn. |
| Location #6 : Sheffield Mine General Description: Lots of mud washing, gravel inspecting, gem finding fun for the whole family. I hope you will find some big honker rubies and sapphires. | How to get there: 385 Sheffield Farms Rd. Franklin, NC 28734 http://www.sheffieldmine.com/ |
| Grade this location: (A-F) A | GPS coordinates |
| Handy to bring along: 1. a change of clothes 2. | Helpful notes to newcomers: Ask for advise. The owners will more than willing to help identify the treasures |
| Location #7 : Cherokee Ruby Mine General Description: A completely unsalted native mine in Franklin, N.C., where some of the best rubies in the region (in North America, for that matter) are to be found. The "Cherokee Chief," a huge 1070 ct. gem quality ruby, was found here in 1993. Sapphires, garnet, moonstone, rutile, and even the occasional Indian artifact (pottery and arrowheads) may be found here as well. Great place, with very friendly and helpful staff. http://www.cherokeerubymine.com/ | How to get there: Click here for directions From Franklin: Business Hwy 441 North, to Hwy 28-North, located near the center of town. Follow 28N until passing Cowee Baptist Church on your right. Merge right, on Cowee Creek Road just ahead. Follow Cowee Creek Rd. until it becomes Ruby Mine Road by staying right at any fork-in the road. Stay on Ruby Mind Rd to the mine entrance, on the left. Approximate drive time from Franklin is 25-30 minutes. |
| Grade this location: (A-F) A | GPS Coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Gloves-- not needed, but some will find them helpful 2. Lunch/Snacks 3. Cash only, so bring it to pay. | Helpful notes to newcomers: The staff are really the most wonderful people in the world, and will be able to provide newbies with any help needed, and will also look through your tailings to be sure that you do not miss anything. Drinks are available for sale, and there are umbrellas for rent, but bring your lunch. |
| Location #9: Rose Creek Mine 115 Terrace Ridge Dr. Franklin, NC 828-349-3774 http://www.rosecreekmine.com General description: Small mine based around placer sluice. Dig your own bucket from their pile of unsalted native dirt. Main mine location is hidden, but is a former Tiffany's mine according to the owner. Friendly owners, easy walk from car. Licensed mine with lots of effort to minimize environmental impact. Takes credit cards. As of Summer 2009, Adults are $6 and Kids are $4 for the first bucket. Extra buckets are $4 each. Salted buckets available for more. | How to get there: Take Highway 441 north of Franklin. Turn onto Sanderstown Road. Burglen's Rock Shop and Mountain City Homes are landmarks. Sanderstown Rd deadends into Hwy 28. Turn left and cross the river. Take your first right onto Bennett Rd go about 1/8 mile then take the first right on Rose Creek Rd. Go up the hill and take the first left onto Lyle Downs Rd, turn left at the sign and follow the signs down to the mine. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Buckets to bring home more dirt! 2. Food 3. Sunscreen and Bug Repellant | Helpful notes to newcomers Feel the bottom of the sluice from time to time, sometimes people upstream of you will unknowingly dump good stuff in and it will wash down to you. |
| Location #10: (Local beach, park, etc) General description: | How to get there: |
| Grade this location: (A to F): | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. 2. 3. | Helpful notes to newcomers: |
| VIDEO FROM THIS AREA Upload a YouTube or Google video of geocaching or treasuring hunting excursions from this area. |
| About this video: A couple of Prospectors on a visit to Bearfoot Gold Check out the Nugget they found while there | |
| PHOTOS FROM THIS AREA Upload pictures of your geocaching or treasuring hunting excursions from this area. |
 About this photo: Mason's Ruby and Sapphire Mine Photo submitted by: bucfanpaka |  About this photo: Cherokee Ruby Mine Photo submitted by: bucfanpaka |
 About this photo: 11 ct. rhodolite garnet from Cherokee Ruby Mine in Franklin, N.C. Photo submitted by: bucfanpaka |  About this photo: Photo submitted by: |
gamaliel114 |
Latest page update: made by gamaliel114
, Aug 9 2009, 9:16 PM EDT
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| KeithMcCormic | Rose Creek Mine | 5 | Jul 30 2009, 11:14 AM EDT by pvjjh | ||
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Thread started: Jul 26 2009, 11:25 PM EDT
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My wife and I stopped here with my parents en route to visit her parents in Florida. We only stayed about two hours and came away with about twenty nice specimens each including ruby, sapphire, moonstone, topaz, amethyst, rhodolite garnet, and even a couple tiny emerald shards. We didn't see anyone using the salted buckets, but we came away pretty psyched.
On the way back from Florida we decided to stop again and were glad we had the chance. We didn't find as much, but a teenage girl upstream of me on the sluice got one of the "Mega" salted buckets. There was so much stuff in that bucket of hers that I was finding stuff in the sluice. I tried giving it back but she didn't want it. I might try one of those next time for amusement. I will say that we're already planning how to get back to Franklin, NC. We did try to find the $30 a day Mason Mine which is supposedly near Rose Creek but we couldn't find it. I want to try some of the other mines, too. That said, we'll probably at least stop by Rose Creek Mine because we had a good time and it was pretty laid back and fun. |
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| cryforstan | North Carolina | 4 | May 17 2009, 6:53 PM EDT by bucfanpaka | ||
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Thread started: May 7 2009, 10:00 PM EDT
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I will be taking a Family Vacation to Franklin North Carolina I have done some preliminary research from the internet about severla mines, but would really like some hands on feedback from any members that have been out that way. I hope to find lots of gems but also have a great vacation . Please help
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Keyword tags:
Gem mine flume waterfalls
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| hotspringer | CAMPING | 0 | May 8 2009, 9:53 AM EDT by hotspringer | ||
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Thread started: May 8 2009, 9:53 AM EDT
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Hi candy check out hot springs NC.we have a great camp ground river rafting and hiking on the Appalachian trail look for lost silver mine. purest silver in the world . I have found diamonds here I can take you with my kids as well not to hard for them . Hot Springs is a great place to bring the family . its on hwy.25/70 4 miles from Tenn. line . need more info let me know
Barry |
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