
American topography is dotted with numerous gemstone mines. Each spot here offers unique discoveries and glimpses into the natural processes that have shaped these coveted valuable rocks. If you’re curious about gemstones, let’s look at the top ten destinations that will fascinate you.
Emerald Hollow Mine, North Carolina

Emerald Hollow Mine is the only place in the US where you can dig for emeralds in their natural habitat. Hiddenite is renowned for its precious stones and the rare green mineral hiddenite. Large specimens like the 1,438-carat Carolina Emerald among the finds are documented at this site.
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine, Montana

People can enjoy sifting gravel to uncover sapphires formed millions of years ago. The repository is renowned for its sapphires that offer multiple shades. Between 1890 and the 1930s, over 65 tons of sapphires from the Rock Creek district were supplied to Switzerland’s watchmaking industry.
Crater Of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas

The park has yielded extraordinary finds, including a 9.07-carat diamond discovered in 2020 by Kevin Kinard, the second-largest since it became a state park. Visitors can explore 37 acres of plowed land in search of diamonds. Nearly 35,000 instances of park visitors finding diamonds were reported.
Spencer Opal Mines, Idaho

Opals form when silica-rich water deposits layers in cavities of volcanic rocks, which create the microscopic structure that refracts light. Idaho’s opals are renowned for their kaleidoscopic colors. Spencer Opal Mines also offers you the chance to dig through the mine to uncover these gems.
Cherokee Ruby And Sapphire Mine, North Carolina

The Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine has rare pigeon-blood rubies and untreated sapphires in Cowee Valley. Explorers and visitors have uncovered pottery shards that tell tales of the area’s history. It is a prominent gemstone resource for jewelers like Tiffany & Co. in the late 19th century.
Morefield Gem Mine, Virginia

In Amelia County, Virginia, there’s Morefield Gem Mine, which has vibrant amazonite and garnets. They have attracted countless collectors and researchers for decades. There are many unique specimens from this location that have been featured in Smithsonian exhibits, too.
Oceanview Mine, California

At California’s Oceanview Mine, you can witness the precious heritage of pink and violet kunzite stones. A 164.11-carat kunzite from this site is also displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. This mine attracts many enthusiasts due to its tourmaline, kunzite, and morganite.
Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, North Carolina

The Elijah Mountain Gem Mine lets visitors go on a treasure hunt for precious stones like rubies and amethysts in indoor and outdoor sluices. There’s also a large crystal and fossil shop on site. Moreover, kids have the option of meeting goats and peacocks.
Old Corundum Hill Mine, North Carolina

The Old Corundum Hill Mine has rich corundum deposits in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge region. At the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum, you can see the famous 49-pound corundum crystal found here. If you like precious stones like rubies and sapphires, the Old Corundum Hill Mine is an amazing spot.
Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine, North Carolina

As a visitor, you can change your discovery into custom jewelry with the Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine cutting services. They guarantee gemstones in every bucket! So this destination is perfect for beginners. The staff also assists with identification, and you can buy fossils and jewelry at the shop.