Nantahala River Gem Mine
Gemstone Mining in Western North
Carolina
Western North Carolina attracts gemstone enthusiasts by the
thousands every year. Vacation travelers and seasonal visitors flock to the
Western North Carolina area every season to search for precious gemstones.
Participants are finding ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz,
amethyst, garnet, turquoise, smoky quarts, rose quartz, and a continuing
variety of other precious and semi precious gems. Many of the stones found at
Nantahala River Gem Mine are 'cut stone' quality, and based on their finds at
the mine, participants can place orders at the mine for finished, cut stones
that are suitable for setting into fine jewelry.
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THE LURE OF GEMSTONE
MINING |
How does the lure of gem mining capture the imagination of
so many? Maybe it's the fascination of the stories that Grandpa told about
finding the pretty red stones in the spring and collecting them in a jar. Maybe
it's the lure of finding a large and enormously valuable gem. Maybe it's the
intrigue of finding a gem and having it faceted for your own unique piece of
jewelry, complete with a personal story. Maybe it's reading the media stories
of visitors who have found the "big one" while mining on their vacation.
Whatever the reason, Western North Carolina continues to attract gemstone
enthusiasts by the thousands every year. They come in search of the precious
stones, and many take home very successful finds!
 Gemstone mining at Nantahala
River Gem Mine was first opened to the public in the early 1980's. A small
wooden structure, constructed with rough sawn lumber, served as a reception
building. Gemstone mining was a very popular attraction to visitors of the area
and participants continued to find a large number of the sought after precious
gemstones. As word spread, the popularity of the business grew, bringing more
and more visitors, and bringing about the need for a more modern sales
facility, with space for a better operation. In 1997 the current Nantahala
River Gem Mine building was built on the site, replacing the older structure,
and offering guests a modern check-in location, and a 3,000 square foot sales
facility with unique gifts and souvenirs for their shopping pleasure. A covered
sluice area provides guests with comfortable, all weather mining, offering
shelter from rain and shade from the sun. The sluice is lighted and allows
mining to continue into the hours after dark during the popular summer time
mining season when demand is greatest.
The gemstone material at Nantahala River Gem Mine comes from
both the local area and from mines all over the world. Gems and minerals don't
all run together. They come from a variety of different mines all over the
world, wherever that specific gem is found. Many of the mine sites are in
remote and not easily accessible locations. The gemstone material is brought to
our plant, packaged, and then brought to our retail location at Nantahala River
Gem Mine, in the scenic Nantahala River Gorge, for your mining pleasure and
enjoyment. You may search for a variety of precious gems including rubies,
emeralds, sapphires, garnets, topaz, amethyst, citrine, peridot, moonstone,
rhodolite, aquamarine, turquoise, ametrine, rose quartz, smoky quartz, and a
continuing variety of precious gems. Participants are finding a treasure trove
of 'cut stone quality' gem finds every season!
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PLACE ORDERS FOR
FINISHED GEMSTONES |
Bring your finds at the mine to the gem mine operator for a
free identification and evaluation of your gems. The mine operator can tell you
which stones are the best for cut stone orders. Guests can place orders for
finished gems, providing specifications for the cutting style and shape. Look
at the beautiful finished gemstones on display at the mine, and choose your
favorite styles and shapes for your cut stone orders. Your finished stones will
be mailed to your home in about two weeks, ready to be set into fine jewelry!
Check out the current cut stone promos at the gem mine.
AN INVESTMENT IN GEMSTONES IS AN INVESTMENT YOU CAN
ENJOY 
Gemstones appreciate in value and you can enjoy wearing them
in jewelry, or collecting them, at the same time that your investment increases
in value for you. Don't miss out on the opportunity to own finished gemstones.
An investment in gemstones is an investment you can enjoy!
HAPPY GEM HUNTING!
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