Whether you’re new to the hobby of gem mining or you’re already knee deep into this fun past time, a visit to Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine near Sylva, North Carolina, will either ignite or reignite the passion for rockhounding. That’s because not all gem mines operate the same way. At some, you’ll mine natural, unpeppered soil and whether you find anything is up to chance. But at Rockhound Ridge, you’re guaranteed to find a certain amount of gems in that bucket of soil you purchase. The experience is a shoe-in for those just starting their rockhounding journey.

Welcome to Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine, found high on a ridge above US-441 and just off of NC-23 between Sylva and Franklin, North Carolina!
Facebook/Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine
At this gem mine, you'll purchase buckets of soil (priced from $5 to $400) and then hit the sluice to uncover the gems.
Google Maps/Taffada Russell
Choose your bucket and the amount of treasure you want.
Google Maps/David Cobb
The $12 bucket, for instance, has 30 different gemstones in it weighing in at one pound. The Rockhound bucket costs $25 and has 40 different gemstones weighing in at three pounds. Or, you can narrow your gems to just emeralds, just ruby and sapphires, or just opals, with special buckets for each at a cost of $50 each. There are even more expensive and more heavily laden buckets, too. See the full list here.
The specialty buckets contain gems that are large enough to cut.
Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine
Rockhound Ridge has its own lapidary and will cut your stones for you for a fee of $25 to $45, depending on the complexity of the cut you desire.

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As a novice, you may need some help in identifying your stones.
Google Maps/JULIANNE WILLIAMS
Of course the friendly family that owns and operates this business is always willing to lend a hand and share their expert knowledge, but you can also refer to the giant gem identification chart at the sluice.
When you've finished mining for gems, be sure to step inside the gem store to see (and purchase) a variety of gems from around the world.
Google Maps/Cara Tari
If you have yet to get into the fun activity of gem mining, then a visit to Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine is sure to kick off your new hobby in the best way possible.
Google Maps/Cara Tari
Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine is located nine miles southwest of Sylva and nine miles northeast of Franklin.
Google Maps

Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine is open six days a week (every day except Wednesday) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more from the official website for Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine, and give it a follow on Facebook here.

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Featured Addresses
8430 US-441, Sylva, NC 28779, USA