sushidog
Well-known member
Here's where I found the 4.6ct star ruby. It was our first time at the Cherokee Gem mine near Franklin, NC. http://cherokeerubymine.com/
The people running it were very friendly and knowledgeable. You won't find a lot of trinkets, but if you do find a ruby it will generally be worthwhile as the quality of their stones is some of the best in the area.
In the same area, we have had success in the past at the Rose Creek mine and the Old Cardinal mine, with the latter being more productive recently. Both staffed with super friendly folk, and their per bucket fee is reasonable.
If you prefer to mine in a creek, there's a nice place in Cleveland, GA called Gold and Gem Grubbin that allows both dredging and highbanking on a per day basis. They also allow people just to come shovel through and screen or pan the tailings by their beautiful creek for $25/day. I typically average about a gram of gold an hour panning there - but be advised, it is a labor of love (and the yield is inconsistent - sometimes you will do well and sometimes you won't) and it's backbreaking work - for men younger than I. I prefer their gem sluice and have found a large pyrope garnet there that cut out to 6.5 carats (I found a nice unique strawberry colored ruby there too.). Here's the garnet:
It's visibly flawless and has a deep red color like a pigeon blood ruby, with no orangy tones typical of garnets. A nice find. I'm not very good at taking pictures though (Hey, I didn't do a bad job on the penny!
).
Chip
The people running it were very friendly and knowledgeable. You won't find a lot of trinkets, but if you do find a ruby it will generally be worthwhile as the quality of their stones is some of the best in the area.
In the same area, we have had success in the past at the Rose Creek mine and the Old Cardinal mine, with the latter being more productive recently. Both staffed with super friendly folk, and their per bucket fee is reasonable.
If you prefer to mine in a creek, there's a nice place in Cleveland, GA called Gold and Gem Grubbin that allows both dredging and highbanking on a per day basis. They also allow people just to come shovel through and screen or pan the tailings by their beautiful creek for $25/day. I typically average about a gram of gold an hour panning there - but be advised, it is a labor of love (and the yield is inconsistent - sometimes you will do well and sometimes you won't) and it's backbreaking work - for men younger than I. I prefer their gem sluice and have found a large pyrope garnet there that cut out to 6.5 carats (I found a nice unique strawberry colored ruby there too.). Here's the garnet:
It's visibly flawless and has a deep red color like a pigeon blood ruby, with no orangy tones typical of garnets. A nice find. I'm not very good at taking pictures though (Hey, I didn't do a bad job on the penny!
).Chip
