Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
Franklin, NC (Cowee Valley, Macon County), North Carolina
rubystar rubysapphirestar sapphirerhodolite garnetpyrope garnetmoonstonekyanitesillimaniterutilesmoky quartz
Fee dig · Fee
Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
Cowee Valley is one of the few places on earth that produces star rubies, and Cherokee bills itself as Macon County's only 100% unsalted gem mine — all ore comes from on-site excavation, with no imported gravel in the bucket. Buckets come pre-filled and the flume line is covered, which matters when a mountain thunderstorm rolls in. Expect to wash a great deal of red clay for every stone worth cutting; that is the honest arithmetic of native dirt.
The card catalog
| What you can find | ruby, star ruby, sapphire, star sapphire, rhodolite garnet, pyrope garnet, moonstone, kyanite, sillimanite, rutile, smoky quartz |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee |
| Fees | $30.00 per person, which includes a bucket of gem ore. Age 6 and under free with an accompanying paid miner, but without ore. Discounted rates for gem club members and military veterans. Admission fees are non-refundable. |
| Season & hours | Open year-round 10am-4pm, opening at 9am during the summer. Operations are weather-permitting and the on-site manager may close early for rain, lightning or hard cold — phone 828-349-2941 before you drive. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Straightforward flume work at waist height, fine for grade-schoolers, but unsalted ore means long stretches with nothing in the screen — manage expectations. |
| Official source | Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine (operator) |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine cost?
$30.00 per person, which includes a bucket of gem ore. Age 6 and under free with an accompanying paid miner, but without ore. Discounted rates for gem club members and military veterans. Admission fees are non-refundable. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine open?
Open year-round 10am-4pm, opening at 9am during the summer. Operations are weather-permitting and the on-site manager may close early for rain, lightning or hard cold — phone 828-349-2941 before you drive. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine good for kids?
Yes — Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine works for families. Straightforward flume work at waist height, fine for grade-schoolers, but unsalted ore means long stretches with nothing in the screen — manage expectations.