There’s nothing like taking time to really enjoy the moment, and gem mining is a perfect way to slow down and breathe in that fresh mountain air. Listen to the water as it rushes through the flume and over your sieve, pulling away dirt and rubble and unveiling the glittering gemstones beneath. Some mines have a jeweler on site, but if yours doesn’t, we have several gem museums and jewelers in town for you to choose from.Įach mine around Franklin is nestled into the mountainside, just far enough from the road that you can easily drive to the site while still feeling wrapped up in the forest. It’s an all-natural treasure hunt!Īs if the gemstones themselves weren’t cool enough, you can also have them mounted into necklace pendants, rings, and bracelets to wear your memories wherever you go. Many of our mines have both native buckets (straight from the mines) or enriched ones (with gemstones added) as options, so you can choose between finding the gems they’ve hidden or trying your luck with untouched soil. That’s right-whether you find tiny tumbling gemstones or a rare star ruby, your haul is yours to keep.

Here are five reasons we believe you’ll love it if you try it, too.

Gem mining? Really? People still do that? You see a brochure for gem mining, and maybe a part of you chuckles. The sun is out but not too warm, and you’d love to spend a couple hours outside, but you already have plans to go hiking and swimming over the next two or three days. Picture this: You’re in the beautiful Smoky Mountains for a long weekend, looking for something to do.

Mason's ruby & sapphire mine