Where to Find Emerald in North Carolina
9 mapped emerald rockhounding spots in North Carolina, across 6 counties. Emerald is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. North Carolina has the deepest gem-mining tradition on the East Coast.
Map of 9 emerald rockhounding spots in North Carolina
Emerald by county in North Carolina
Counties ranked by number of emerald spots in our database.
Every emerald spot in North Carolina
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Hollow MineEmerald Hollow Mine Drive | Alexander County | 35.9137, -81.0829 | Public | |
| HiddeniteRiverside Farm Lane | Alexander County |
| 35.9102, -81.0677 | Public |
| Hiddenite (area 2)Duncan Lane | Alexander County | 35.9136, -81.0740 | Public | |
| Emerald Hollow MineClarence Street | Catawba County |
| 35.6720, -81.1089 | Paid / fee |
| ShelbySouth Lafayette Street | Cleveland County | 35.2453, -81.5652 | Public | |
| Stice Shoal Lake DamPowerhouse Road | Cleveland County | 35.3987, -81.5460 | Public | |
| Elijah Mountain Gem MineBrevard Road | Henderson County | 35.3244, -82.5034 | Public | |
| Crabtree Emerald MineEmerald Mine Road | Mitchell County | 35.8743, -82.1205 | Public | |
| BurnsvilleRay Mine Trail | Yancey County | 35.8883, -82.2747 | Public |
Emerald in North Carolina FAQ
Where can I find emerald in North Carolina?+
RockHoundR tracks 9 emerald spots in North Carolina, spread across 6 counties. The strongest concentration is in Alexander County.
Is collecting emerald legal in North Carolina?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like emerald 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 emerald location in North Carolina?+
Alexander County has the most emerald spots in our database for North Carolina. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
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 emerald in North Carolina on the map
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