Gem KyaniteNC
Alexis
Alexis is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Gem Kyanite, Lazulite, Rutile crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGemstones rockhounding sites in North Carolina
Facetable and collector gems — emeralds, sapphires, garnets, topaz, beryl, and tourmaline localities.
36 gemstones destinations in North Carolina.
Rockhounding sites in North Carolina — gemstones: 36 spots in our directory. Sort live from your phone with near me, or browse all U.S. gemstones rockhounding sites and the North Carolina state page.
Gemstones collecting in North Carolina
Facetable and collector gems — emeralds, sapphires, garnets, topaz, beryl, and tourmaline localities.
We currently document 36 gemstones collecting sites in North Carolina. Each listing includes original descriptions, visitor notes, and last-updated dates when available.
What to know before you collect
Gemstones destinations in North Carolina vary widely in access, season, and legality. Some are official recreation areas; others are informal gravel bars. Read the access and safety sections on each listing — never assume collecting is allowed without checking current signage.
For trip planning beyond this filter, browse the full North Carolina state page, our guides, or use near me to sort by distance from your location.
GarnetNC
Big Creek
Big Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet, Moonstone, Smoky Quartz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Brasstown
Brasstown is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Bullhead Mountain
Bullhead Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet, Gem Kyanite, Magnetite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsPink SapphireNC
Burningtown Creek
Burningtown Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Pink Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsSapphireNC
Celo Ridge
Celo Ridge is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Sapphire, Feldspar, Garnet, Kyanite, Mica. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsRubyNC
Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet, Quartz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Chunky Gal Mountain
Chunky Gal Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet, Staurolite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Cowee Creek
Cowee Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Corundum, Beryl, Hornblende, Kyanite, Pyrite, Quartz, Rutile, Staurolite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Craggy Gardens Picnic Site
Craggy Gardens Picnic Site is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Almandine Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGem EpidoteNC
Cranberry
Cranberry is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Gem Epidote, Garnet, Hematite, Gem Kyanite, Unakite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsRubyNC
Elijah Mountain Gem Mine
Elijah Mountain Gem Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Quartz crystals, Citrine, Amethyst, Garnet, Aventurine, Sodalite, Peridot, Opal, Fluorite, Aquamarine, Topaz, Tourmaline, Pyrite, Amazonite, Labradorite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGemstoneNC
Emerald
Emerald is a documented rockhounding destination in NC. Collectors visit for gem crystals, beryl, tourmaline and related material. Access rules and land ownership vary — confirm current status with the managing agency or landowner before collecting.
View detailsEmeraldNC
Emerald Hollow Mine
The only emerald mine in the United States open to the public for digging, in the Hiddenite gem district of Alexander County.
View detailsGem KyaniteNC
Hager's Mountain
Hager's Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Gem Kyanite, Pyrophyllite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGem FeldsparNC
Hibriten Mountain
Hibriten Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Gem Feldspar. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsEmeraldNC
Hiddenite
Hiddenite is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Emerald, Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Amber Quartz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
High Peak
High Peak is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsDiamondNC
Hollands Creek
Hollands Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Diamond, Platinum, Blue Quartz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Hyatt Creek
Hyatt Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Almandine Garnet, Staurolite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Ingalls
Ingalls is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsDiamondNC
Kings Mountain
Kings Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Diamond. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Little Pine Garnet Mine
Little Pine Garnet Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet, Quartz, Chlorite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Looking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Marlin Knob
Marlin Knob is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet, Unakite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Mcdowell County
McDowell County is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Pyrope Garnet, Gold Placer. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsRubyNC
Montvale
Montvale is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Ruby, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsRubyNC
Newfound Gap
Newfound Gap is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Ruby. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGem KyaniteNC
North Toe River
North Toe River is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Gem Kyanite, Corundum, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGem KyaniteNC
Penland
Penland is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Gem Kyanite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Reems Creek
Reems Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGem CorundumNC
Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Gem Corundum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsSapphireNC
Sapphire Lake
Sapphire Lake is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsDiamondNC
South Muddy Creek
South Muddy Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Diamond, Gold. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Thermal City
Thermal City is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGarnetNC
Wilkesboro
Wilkesboro is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet, Serpentine, Talc. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View details