Where to Find Apatite in North Carolina
6 mapped apatite rockhounding spots in North Carolina, across 5 counties. Apatite is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. North Carolina has the deepest gem-mining tradition on the East Coast.
Map of 6 apatite rockhounding spots in North Carolina
Apatite by county in North Carolina
Counties ranked by number of apatite spots in our database.
Every apatite spot in North Carolina
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foote Mine and other minesKings Mountain Gateway Trail | Cleveland County |
| 35.2111, -81.3556 | Public |
| Roberson RidgeRocky Branch Road | Haywood County | 35.4150, -82.9962 | Public | |
| Crabtree Emerald MineEmerald Mine Road | Mitchell County | 35.8743, -82.1205 | Public | |
| Sink Hole Mine and other area minesNC 80 | Mitchell County | 35.9757, -82.1766 | Public | |
| Island CreekTungsten Mine Road | Vance County |
| 36.5050, -78.4765 | Public |
| BurnsvilleRay Mine Trail | Yancey County | 35.8883, -82.2747 | Public |
Apatite in North Carolina FAQ
Where can I find apatite in North Carolina?+
RockHoundR tracks 6 apatite spots in North Carolina, spread across 5 counties. The strongest concentration is in Mitchell County.
Is collecting apatite legal in North Carolina?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like apatite is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in North Carolina, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.
What is the best apatite location in North Carolina?+
Mitchell County has the most apatite spots in our database for North Carolina. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
Other states for apatite
Other minerals to find in North Carolina
- Quartz in North Carolina54
- Garnet in North Carolina43
- Amethyst in North Carolina20
- Gold in North Carolina20
- Corundum in North Carolina18
- Rutile in North Carolina17
- Beryl in North Carolina14
- Kyanite in North Carolina14
- Sapphire in North Carolina14
- Tourmaline in North Carolina14
- Agate in North Carolina13
- Aquamarine in North Carolina13
Hunt apatite in North Carolina on the map
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