Address: 13780 Highway 226 South, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, USA
Phone: +18287656130
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 10AM–6PM
Tuesday: 10AM–6PM
Wednesday: 10AM–6PM
Thursday: 10AM–6PM
Friday: 10AM–6PM
Saturday: 10AM–6PM
Cristiane Reis
Really fun experience for the family. We bought a small bucket and got a great amount of gems. Kids had a blast.
Debi Lowe
The staff was pleasant and knowledgeable. We left with bags full of gems, separated by the staff I to can and cannot make into polished stones for jewelry. I would definitely recommend.
G0d_Ace9203
It was one of the best flume mining places I have ever been. It was a nice scenic drive there. Nice and quiet not to loud or busy. A great place to take the family. The pre-loaded buckets are really great and at a great price. The cutting services are phenomenal. The owner is very kind and helpful. The workers check on you to help if you need. You can buy all kinds of beautiful jewelry and lose raw and cut stones. And a lot of good gem books as well. It's a great place and I will definitely be coming back.
Dorothy Bobo
Meandering on US Hwy 226 I chanced upon Gem Mountain Gemstones. When we kids were little, our parents took us to rustic places to “mine for gemstones”. Maybe we got a few ruby or emerald chips; I wonder whatever happened to them...? Later, my dad bought his own Rock Polisher. Boy, was it loud! It did make some smooth, colorful rocks into small works of art. As I browsed the shops here, I was enthralled at all the beautiful rocks, gems, and jewelry. I found a 3 stoned opal ring set in silver for only $150! I tried it on but ended up only buying a bag of quartz rocks to put in my flower pots and a small book on rocks and minerals. It’s all so fascinating; I may have to buy my own rock polisher.
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They typically open at ten am
Yes. They will also explain what you've found (free) and cut / polish (extra fee) anything worthy. Great fun and my kids loved it.
Not sure you can call and ask
Gem Mountain does offer an option to rockhound, but as it's their property it is in a group. Since this is the company's listing, you may have better luck looking up rockhound groups that are local to the area, or somewhere like Reddit's r\rockhound
About 3 hours 156 miles
They will keep what they find and the gemologists will tell them what they found
At the mine, you buy a bucket of essentially dirt that is "salted" with rough gemstones. Typically, the bigger and/or more expensive the bucket, the bigger, better, and more plentiful the gems. Mining at the shop is a fun activity for anyone who loves rocks or likes to play in the water(only hands and wrists have to get wet). My kids loved it when they were little and we still love it now that they are adults. At most mines, if you tell the staff what your priorities are, they will help you find the best fit. Years ago at Gem Mountain, I went to "tour a working mine" and was taken to an open pit type mine where they blast and let you come look for ore. My family found aquamarine, garnet, and golden beryl still in the surrounding stone. It was an awesome adventure, but out in the sun and you walk across some rough stone. It's not for those who don't do well on an easy-to-moderate hike. If you are moderately fit, you will have no problem. Take water and be ready to get a scrape or two.
No appointments needed
It depends on type or size of bucket. You can get small buckets of specific gemstones for 25 or 30 going up to over 500 for a huge mixed barrel.
I don't think so but just call and ask them. They are not a Pawn shop.
Yes different prices by size. But worth it. Found a very nice star sapphire last year. They cut and polished it. My wife had it made into a very cool silver ring for my Christmas gift. Grandkids love the location too.
Kids that age would probably have more fun at The flume. The youngest might not have the patience for the 4-Hour mine trip. Also might want to check if they have a minimum age for the tour.
They were open untill after Christmas last year. They closed for January and February. Their website says they will open on March 2nd.
It's 85.00 to mine a bucket if gems in the mine, then 45 or more for each cut to a gem. We didn't find much that was worth anything, but the person, who took us out was very knowledgeable and fun. Would I go again no, onto other mines.
Wide variety of stones. I've had a few cut over the years and they are always spectacular and special. Garnets, topaz, moonstone, ruby, saffire, emeralds, amethyst, and many more. If you have a good size group (4 or 5) I suggest the big bucket. It does take some time to go through the whole thing but last time i was there they still give you a free cut to a certain value, which is nice.
About 5 hours just Google it,and in my opinion it's worth it I had a blast,but I was in Asheville at the time I only drove about 30 mins.
I wouldn't do the cheapest package. Go up at least one bucket size.
They are open air flumes but they are well covered from the rain and weather. My family and i have been before when it was raining and it is still loads of fun!
Their Facebook page said they're having trouble with their phone system they've even changed phone providers and are still having problems if you have access to Facebook try there page. And yes I believe they're open
Yes they will do that for you we have done it in the past unless they've changed it's still a little pricey on the shipping.
At least 25 years that I'm aware of. My wife and I heard about it on the Discovery Channel one evening when we were planning on a place to take our honeymoon. Very well maintained very clean and a professional staff.
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