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Emerald mine entrance
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May 27, 2022 15:21:37   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Near Spruce Pine NC. All the precious stones - emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds (as well as gold) are found in the NC mountains. The largest emerald (1891 carets) ever found in North America came from Hiddenite, NC, east of here.



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May 27, 2022 15:31:49   #
niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA
 
Wonderful shot, scary hole!

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May 27, 2022 16:06:37   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Neat.
Visitors allowed inside?

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May 27, 2022 16:51:03   #
Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona
 
I really like the shot. Hard rock mining for sure

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May 28, 2022 07:04:11   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 

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May 28, 2022 08:55:30   #
Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis
 
TriX wrote:
Near Spruce Pine NC. All the precious stones - emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds (as well as gold) are found in the NC mountains. The largest emerald (1891 carets) ever found in North America came from Hiddenite, NC, east of here.



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May 28, 2022 09:23:00   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
Nice shot. Anyone mining there currently? Yeah, I've read about the "gold rush" in North Carolina in the early days of our country.

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May 28, 2022 09:36:49   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 
Nice shot, interesting.

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May 28, 2022 09:47:54   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 

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May 28, 2022 10:38:20   #
jederick Loc: Northern Utah
 
Interesting scene, did not know that about the gems of NC...thanks for sharing!!

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May 28, 2022 14:04:00   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Nice one, TriX.

Apparently, they removed the enjoyment of poking around inside by constructing a fence across the opening. That's sort of a bummer.
--Bob
TriX wrote:
Near Spruce Pine NC. All the precious stones - emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds (as well as gold) are found in the NC mountains. The largest emerald (1891 carets) ever found in North America came from Hiddenite, NC, east of here.

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May 28, 2022 15:37:26   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Thank you everyone for the kind words. The mine (like most) has a fast flowing stream next to the entrance and they have an area for panning by visitors using a sluice of the tailings from the mine, but I don’t believe visitors are allowed in this one. Active mines have a permit and visitors must pay (typically $10) to be added to the permit and sign a safety waiver. Depending on the mine, you may be allowed to pan after purchasing a bucket of tailings, enter the mine or prospect in the stream bed. You may bring your own tools with some limitations. Here’s the website of an active mine near where the largest Emerald in North America was found: https://www.emeraldhollowmine.com/

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May 28, 2022 17:40:27   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
TriX wrote:
Thank you everyone for the kind words. The mine (like most) has a fast flowing stream next to the entrance and they have an area for panning by visitors using a sluice of the tailings from the mine, but I don’t believe visitors are allowed in this one. Active mines have a permit and visitors must pay (typically $10) to be added to the permit and sign a safety waiver. Depending on the mine, you may be allowed to pan after purchasing a bucket of tailings, enter the mine or prospect in the stream bed. You may bring your own tools with some limitations. Here’s the website of an active mine near where the largest Emerald in North America was found: https://www.emeraldhollowmine.com/
Thank you everyone for the kind words. The mine (l... (show quote)


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May 28, 2022 22:10:19   #
Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA
 
Lots of tourist mining from bucket sluices in N.C. A few places allow you to dig your own bucket to wash. Search for sites online before you drive there.

You'll likely find garnet and possibly some corundum (ruby/sapphire) if you are lucky. Almost all buckets are "salted" with specimens not found locally (quartz, amethyst, garnet, etc.). Finds in the bucket depend upon the price paid for the bucket (more specimens for more money - duhhhh). Still great fun for the beginner 'rockhound' of all ages. The stones really will not be "gem quality," but still a fun day to collect.

If you want to get more involved, research where the "rhodolite" garnets are found. Go there, walk up to where they are found in N.C. and search for your own gem quality rhodolite garnets to be cabbed or faceted. (Yes, I can change rough gem stones into cabochons and faceted shapes. This has been my 'hobby' for more than 25 years.)

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May 28, 2022 23:31:51   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Paul Diamond wrote:
Lots of tourist mining from bucket sluices in N.C. A few places allow you to dig your own bucket to wash. Search for sites online before you drive there.

You'll likely find garnet and possibly some corundum (ruby/sapphire) if you are lucky. Almost all buckets are "salted" with specimens not found locally (quartz, amethyst, garnet, etc.). Finds in the bucket depend upon the price paid for the bucket (more specimens for more money - duhhhh). Still great fun for the beginner 'rockhound' of all ages. The stones really will not be "gem quality," but still a fun day to collect.

If you want to get more involved, research where the "rhodolite" garnets are found. Go there, walk up to where they are found in N.C. and search for your own gem quality rhodolite garnets to be cabbed or faceted. (Yes, I can change rough gem stones into cabochons and faceted shapes. This has been my 'hobby' for more than 25 years.)
Lots of tourist mining from bucket sluices in N.C.... (show quote)


Good information Paul, what type of cutting and faceting machines do you use? Clearly, most of these sites are tourist attractions, but I’d like to get a little deeper into it. Hiddenite, NC is only a couple hour drive for me, so thinking of some day trips.

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