Where to Find Ruby in North Carolina
North Carolina has 13 mapped collecting spots that report ruby, spread across 6 counties. The largest share sits in Macon County with 8 spots. 9 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible, and 4 are fee-dig sites.
Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.
Every ruby spot we track in North Carolina
Best spotCorundum HillMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Corundum, Ruby, Blue Sapphire +4
Elijah Mountain Gem MineHenderson County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald +15- FranklinMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Amethyst, Bronzite, Epidote +11
- Higdon MountainMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Actinolite, Chalcedony, Chromite +10
- Cowee CreekMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire +8
Mason Mtn Garnet MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Rhodolite, Garnet, Ruby +3- Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet +1
- Chunky Gal Mountain - Perry GapClay County, North CarolinaPublic access · Corundum, Ruby, Smaragdite
- Mason's Ruby & Sapphire MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet
- Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire MineMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire
- MontvaleChatham County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire
- Newfound GapHaywood County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby
- Propst Farm Ruby MineCatawba County, North CarolinaFee dig · Ruby
Standout ruby spots in North Carolina
Hand-picked from the full list above, with the reason each one earns a trip.
Best counties for ruby in North Carolina
Ranked by the number of mapped ruby spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
Before you go
Read the ruby identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Ruby in the encyclopedia.
Ruby in North Carolina FAQ
Where can you find ruby in North Carolina?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Macon County, Catawba County, and Chatham County. Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its coordinates and access notes.
How many ruby spots are mapped in North Carolina?+
13 spots across 6 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 ruby 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. 9 of the 13 mapped spots here sit on land marked public, and 4 are fee-dig operations 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 ruby
More minerals to hunt in North Carolina
Hunt ruby 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.
