Where to Find Ruby in North Carolina
9 mapped ruby rockhounding spots in North Carolina, across 4 counties. Ruby 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 ruby rockhounding spots in North Carolina
Ruby by county in North Carolina
Counties ranked by number of ruby spots in our database.
Every ruby spot in North Carolina
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MontvaleIndian Creek Lane | Chatham County | 35.8149, -78.9372 | Public | |
| Newfound GapNewfound Road | Haywood County | 35.5748, -82.7717 | Public | |
| Elijah Mountain Gem MineBrevard Road | Henderson County | 35.3244, -82.5034 | Public | |
| Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire MineCrestview Heights | Macon County | 35.1700, -83.3800 | Paid / fee | |
| Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire MineRuby Mine Road | Macon County | 35.2729, -83.3517 | Public | |
| Corundum HillMount Laurel Road | Macon County | 35.1500, -83.2883 | Public | |
| Cowee CreekSheffield Farms Road | Macon County | 35.2721, -83.3936 | Public | |
| FranklinLyle Mill Road | Macon County | 35.2261, -83.3606 | Public | |
| Higdon MountainForest Drive | Macon County |
| 35.1484, -83.2907 | Public |
Ruby in North Carolina FAQ
Where can I find ruby in North Carolina?+
RockHoundR tracks 9 ruby spots in North Carolina, spread across 4 counties. The strongest concentration is in Macon County.
Is collecting ruby legal in North Carolina?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like ruby 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 ruby location in North Carolina?+
Macon County has the most ruby spots in our database for North Carolina. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
Other states for ruby
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 ruby in North Carolina on the map
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