Fun In The Mountains

Gem Mining At The Emerald Hollow Mine

The Wizard of Oz had his Emerald City, but North Carolina has the real thing. Deep in the Brushy Mountains of Alexander County about twenty minutes northwest of Statesville is the little town of Hiddenite, where many of the world’s largest emeralds, including the million-dollar "Carolina Queen", have been unearthed. However, you don’t need to be a professional miner to hunt for gems here; one emerald mine in Hiddenite is actually open to the public for amateur prospecting.

Employees at the Emerald Hollow Mine will tell you that about half of the people who come here hope to get rich, and every now and then, one of them does. Some valuable gem-quality stones have been found, but the Emerald Hollow Mine’s biggest treasure is its motherlode of inexpensive family-friendly outdoor fun. Nearly everyone who comes here is able to tap into that vein, and those that do go home with a pocketful of pretty rocks and a day’s worth of memories.

The mine offers visitors three different types of gem hunting experiences: sluicing, creeking, and digging. Those paying five dollars for a seat at the covered sluiceway receive a complimentary bucket of unprocessed mine material. At the sluice, you’ll sit amongst a crowd of “miners” from the ages of 4 to 94, carefully sifting through ore, picking out colorful stones that catch the eye. More than sixty types of gems and minerals are native to this area, and any of them could be found in any bucket. Once the first bucket is sifted through, more can be purchased for prices ranging from a couple of bucks to one hundred dollars.

For an extra three dollars, visitors can take rented screens and shovels and go prospecting in the nearby creek. The waters in the creek are shallow and cool, and the shade provided by the tree canopy makes this a pleasantly refreshing place even on the hottest of summer days. Some spend hours here digging deep into the creek bed looking for a hidden precious gem; others simply put their feet in the water and enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

If you’re a serious rock hound, you can pay a little more to go into in the mine itself and go digging. This can be hard work, and the folks here will warn you it’s mostly for people who know what they’re doing. However, if you’re seeking a true ‘mining’ experience, this is what you’re looking for, and it might be your best chance at uncovering a valuable find.

No matter which type of prospecting is your preference, the Emerald Hollow Mine is no place for high fashion. North Carolina’s famous red clay is in all of its abundant glory here, so old clothes and shoes are highly recommended, as are towels, sunscreen and bug spray. After all, gem mining can be a ‘dirty’ business, even if it is a day of good clean fun.

The Emerald Hollow Mine is open from 8:30 A.M. until sunset every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.

added: January 6, 2009

updated: January 12, 2009