Rubies in North Carolina.

[DenBrowning-Saunders]

I am looking around my new local area here in the States, and I see there is a ruby mine not far over the state line in North Carolina. Has anyone got any advice, warnings or tips about going to these places that allow you to pitch in? I am in the middle of researching and it seems on the up-and-up.

Thanks in advance.

 

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[smokeythecat]

Yes, the areas around Franklin, NC do produce sapphires and an occasional ruby. The heyday of the area was back in the 60's to 80's, a lot of the mines are now closed. You can do a web search for places to go. The properties where you can go are fee based. One or two have natural materials only, others have non-US sapphires thrown in the mix.

 

[Buckshotnc]

Been a while since I was in Franklin, at that time there was only two where you mined non-enhanced native material, one was Cherokee Ruby mine where they dug the material for you and brought it to you in buckets. The only one where you go actually dig your own material was Mason"s Mine.

 

[DenBrowning-Saunders]

Thanks guys. I will research further. Not sure of the value of doing it, but it should give me something to do while I wait for my detectors and panning gear etc to get shipped over, or replace it all.