smoky mountain gold and ruby mine

Ron_Sr001

My wife wanted to stop at one of these attractions while we were traveling we were traveling the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We found this one at the south end of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Cherokee N. C. Had a good time, she bought a regular bucket and then sluiced out the Gems It was reasonably priced and we ended up with a nice sized bag of gems All the employees were friendly and very helpful. They made you feel like a friend and that you were a valuable friend at that. So stop in and buy a bucket have some fun and make some memories. we sure did. Just a reminder they are closed December, January and February.

favorg10

We visit this mining place every year and it is a great time every time. We always find something good and leave cold and happy.

tscook

We started out sharing the $12 package of mixed gem stones. We each got a bag to 'mine'. We had such fun that we returned and purchased a sapphire and ruby bucket and an emerald bucket. There was a 9 CT emerald and also a 4 CT along with a bunch of small ones. There was one larger ruby and lots of smaller ones and some smaller sapphires as well. We looked at other mines but didn't have waders or boots with us and felt more comfortable staying out of the mud. The employees explained what we were looking for and was there to verify 'good or junk' when we asked. The assayer estimated the large emerald would make an 8CT finished emerald cut jewel when cut.

43angelk

Excellent choices and prices. Very friendly and helpful staff. Lots of fun for the young and the old.

inbevsopinion

My son now 10 still enjoys his gem mining experience here. It is $12 for 2 large bags of "dirt" to sift for gems. Takes about 30 minutes to sift through the 2 bags. We found quite a few gems. The best part in my opinion is taking them inside to have them sorted. We were very fortunate to have one of the actual gem cutters sort ours and explain to my son how each type was formed and how to tell what each rock was.

599debras599

If you have an interest in gem stones or gold panning this is a lot of fun. The employee was very helpful telling us about the different stones. When we had completed our bucket of sand separating out the stones they were able to tell us about the stones and they do offer to cut the stones (for a price) and have settings they can be mounted in. Definitely a lot of fun.

hotelcritic20

Really had a fun time. Read reviews from others and still went to see. Got a ruby and sapphire buckets and walked away with some good stones. Guy there helped us out and yes the ruby and sapphire buckets can be tricky but once you start to find them then it gets easy. It's a place to have fun with you family and alone ad well. Not going to strike I rich anywhere if that was the case then everyone would be rich. All the employees were great and super helpful while you look for your gems.

166erics

Bought the " ruby and sapphire " bucket. Loaded with sand and pea gravel, apparently all we found were rubies and only a few were " cut quality ". Guy didn't really explain what to look for. I guess we threw away the sapphires, if there were even any in the bucket, Franklin gem mining is much better, and you will walk away with many more gems for the price. Once we took our gems to the assay office, they just wanted to try and sell us on getting our stones cut. Not worth the price at all!

Bellerina27

All these people who are expecting to "strike it rich", need to take a step back and smell the reality. You are not going to get gigantic, flawless, priceless stones here. Take it for what it is and have fun! Nikki was awesome, explained everything to us (and our expectations), and we had a blast. We even went back a second day, just 'cause. We had fun with the rest of the staff also, but my husband and I just loved Nikki-she was so fun! All the staff was attentive to us, as well as the others who were there. All we heard was laughter from us and everyone else "panning for gold"! I got some killer stones, we had a great time, and took it at face value. Keep up the fun guys! Jennifer Nicole! :)Durham, nc

sunnyb604

This placed promised that there would be gems, especially in the children's buckets that we bought for our kids. There were so very few we have never been to a gem mine this bad! We have been coming to this area for years and usually gem mine in Franklin, well I wish we would have gone there instead of this place. These places put gems in these bags and buckets to guarantee a find, it's called "salted or enhanced" we even asked to make sure the kids would have some, of course they said yes. well I've never been so disappointed. BEWARE, they will try to tell you your best bet is to by the $50 bucket. Glad we didn't. Don't waste your money here.

PamB860

This activity is good for all ages. Its more of a relaxing activity rather than a true search for treasures. The buckets are prefilled and you sift it in water. Half of what we found was worth keeping for cut stone.

rong813

There are many mines in the area, we chose this mine simply because we were in Cherokee that day. It is fun, but mostly for the kids...getting to see their faces light up when they find a gem is priceless. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. We will do this again when we are back for another visit to the area.

BCK007

We took my wife's granddaughters and got a lot of good finds in our buckets. I bought an emerald bucket and found some several carats in size. The girls each got a mixture bucket and found some gem quality stones that we will have cut for them. We are hooked!

lariet

We found a few cool gems and were excited. The prices weren't too bad for what it was. My big complaint is that the facilities aren't really conducive for little kids. They have a bench for adults to sit by the trough while you pan, but it is 2 feet away from the trough, so if your kids try to stand there, they fall, like my son busted his lip. They really need to add another ledge there for the kids to stand on to pan for the gems and gold. It would have been less stressful for my fiancee and I if the kids had been able to do it on their own.

cmwilso3

My husband and I enjoyed our trip here! We were there when it wasn't too busy, but there were several kids there who were having a blast! The people working there were super friendly and helpful. The gentleman at the flume was really nice and when the little kids didn't find a huge gemstone, he slipped them some to get them super excited. the ladies inside were awesome, going through our finds and telling us exactly what we had found. I would love to come back again!