Gem Mining Spruce Pine NC
Gem mining is an activity that the whole family can enjoy together. It is fun and educational all at the same time. Most gem mines are open in the spring through the fall, seven days a week. The Greater Foscoe Mining Company will even ship to your home address, if you are unable to travel to the High Country, so that you can still enjoy the fun of mining your own gems. They all encourage large families to purchase a larger bucket and split it between everyone rather than purchasing smaller buckets. Admission is free. All you need to do is purchase a bucket.
Grandfather Gem Mine:
Grandfather Gem Mine is located at the Grandfather Trout Farm. They provide all the equipment. All you have to do is buy the bucket and find your treasure. You can then take your find to the Grandfather Gem Shop for identification, cutting and mounting. They offer $15 to $50 buckets that you may share. The Greater Foscoe Mining Co. has indoor and outdoor flumes, so you can enjoy the experience rain or shine. They even ship to your home address, if you are unable to travel to the High Country, so that you can still enjoy the fun of mining your own gems. After mining, the staff will identify your gemstones and place them on a keepsake gemstone calendar for you to take home. Or, you can visit the jewelry store and gallery, Facets, where their experienced gem cutters can cut and polish your stones and set them in gold or silver, creating a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry for you to treasure. Foggy Mountain Gem Mine offers a unique and memorable experience to all who visit as well. Their staff provides assistance during the whole process to ensure you find all the treasures in your bucket and will answer any questions that you have. Magic Mountain Gem Mine also has a challenging miniature 18-hole golf course for the family, along with the latest video games, a restaurant, gem mine, and gift shop in a park-type atmosphere.
Gem Mountain:
Gem Mountain is located on Hwy 226, between Spruce Pine and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and offers a great experience for Gemstone Hunting in North Carolina Mountains. Only a 45 minute drive from our office in Banner Elk, Gem Mountain guarantees you will find valuable gems and inspects your stones free of charge. You can keep all the gemstones you find and even have them turned into beautiful jewelry by Gem Mountain’s professional gem cutters! With the prospect of finding Crabtree emerald, Wiseman and Brushy Creek aquamarine, moonstones, garnet, citrine, amethyst, ruby, and sapphire at Gem Mountain, be sure to visit Gem Mountain and share the history, tradition and excitement of gemstone mining. You can also experience the Brushy Creek Aquamarine Mine at Gem Mountain. Reservations are required for this popular gem mining attraction.
Emerald Village:
Emerald Village is located in Little Switzerland and features three original Gem Mining NC mines to experience Gemstone Hunting in North Carolina Mountains. Just as the miners did in the 1800s, Emerald Village provides visitors with authentic mining equipment. Set out to search for gems in the “hidden” underground Bon Amie Mine. With historical displays and a beautiful waterfall, this mine offers fun for the whole family. The Big Deal Mine and the Big McKinney Mine offer exceptional mining and a fresh water flume for exceptional North Carolina Gem Mining. Emerald Village contains a great collection of historical displays such as the Antique Music Museum, the Homestead farm display, the Gallery of Minerals and Crossings of the Blue Ridge Railroad.
North Carolina Mineral Museum:
To learn about the history and variety of Gem Mining Spruce Pine NC, visit the North Carolina Minerals Museum. Located in Little Switzerland directly on the Parkway at Milepost 331, the North Carolina Minerals Museum is a great place for families! Look at beautiful North Carolina gems and learn about the importance of NC Gem Mining to the High Country’s history.
So, as you can see, there are many to choose from in the High Country. Their locations and phone numbers are listed below:
Grandfather Gem Mine, Gem Shop & Gift Shop
10767 Highway 105 South, Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-963-5098
Greater Foscoe Mining Co., Jewelry Store & Gallery
8998 NC Hwy 105 South, Foscoe, NC 28604
828-963-5928
Foggy Mountain Gem Mine, Gem Shop & Gift Shop
4416 U.S. Highway 105 South, Boone, NC 28607
828-963-4367
Blue Ridge Gemstone Mine
PO Box 327, Little Switzerland, NC 28749
828-765-5264 or 828-606-7471
Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine
13780 Hwy 226 South
PO Box 488, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
828-765-6130 or 828-765-0866
The Museum of North Carolina Minerals
Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 331
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
828-765-9483
Spruce Pine Gemstone Mine
15090 Hwy 226 South, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
828-765-7981
Emerald Village
PO Box 98
Little Switzerland, NC 28749
828-765-6463 or 828-765-4367
Real mines, mine tours and gem mining
Magic Mountain Mini Golf, Gem Mine & Gift Shop
1655 Highway 105, Boone, NC 28607
828-264-6959
828-963-7016
Contact: Jerry Garlock
Challenging Miniature 18-Hole Golf Course for the Family. Latest Video Games and Fun, Restaurant, Gem Mine, Gift Shop in Park-Type Atmosphere.
