Where to Find Moonstone in North Carolina
North Carolina has 5 mapped collecting spots that report moonstone, spread across 5 counties. 3 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible, and 1 is a fee-dig site.
Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.
Every moonstone spot we track in North Carolina
Bryson CitySwain County, North CarolinaPublic access · Allanite, Garnet, Magnetite +7
Foote Mine and other minesCleveland County, North CarolinaPermission required · Apatite, Beryl, Calcite +7- DemocratBuncombe County, North CarolinaPublic access · Chalcedony, Feldspar, Garnet +3
- Mason Mtn Garnet MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Rhodolite, Garnet, Ruby +3
- Big CreekStokes County, North CarolinaPublic access · Garnet, Moonstone, Smoky Quartz
Best counties for moonstone in North Carolina
Ranked by the number of mapped moonstone spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
Before you go
Read the moonstone identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Moonstone in the encyclopedia.
Moonstone in North Carolina FAQ
Where can you find moonstone in North Carolina?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Buncombe County, Cleveland County, and Macon County. Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its coordinates and access notes.
How many moonstone spots are mapped in North Carolina?+
5 spots across 5 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect moonstone in North Carolina?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 3 of the 5 mapped spots here sit on land marked public, and 1 is a fee-dig operation where you pay for access and keep what you find. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find moonstone
More minerals to hunt in North Carolina
Hunt moonstone in North Carolina with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.
