South Hardin Mica Mine: Aquamarine & Golden Beryl Rockhounding in Ashe County, North Carolina
- Minerals reported
- 3
- Elevation
- 3,410 ft
- Best months
- March to December
South Hardin Mica Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Ashe County, North Carolina. Reported finds include aquamarine, golden beryl, muscovite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Ashe County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Inspiration Way
- Postcode
- 28694
- Coordinates
- 36.37051, -81.50671
Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Best time to visit South Hardin Mica Mine
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: March to December. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 41°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, JEFFERSON 2 E station (5 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at South Hardin Mica Mine
This spot sits on Ashe Metamorphic Suite and Tallulah Falls Formation; Amphibolite, mapped as amphibolite that formed roughly 1000 to 540 million years ago. Metamorphic belts like this often host pegmatite dikes, the coarse-crystal bodies that typically carry beryl, tourmaline, and sheet mica.
- Mapped unit
- Ashe Metamorphic Suite and Tallulah Falls Formation; Amphibolite
- Age
- 1000–540 Ma (Neoproterozoic)
- Rock types
- amphibolite
- Elevation
- 3,410 ft
Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.
Today's weather
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Get the appSources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
State guidance last verified:
- North Carolina Geological Survey
- Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
- Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at South Hardin Mica Mine
Each name opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of South Hardin Mica Mine.
- Walnut Knob MineAshe County, North Carolina · 6 mi awayAquamarine
- Long Shoals CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 9 mi awayQuartz, Pyrite, Epidote
- North Fork New RiverAshe County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayStaurolite
- Helton CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 12 mi awayMagnetite
- Horse CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 12 mi awayEpidote, Garnet, Magnetite
- Flint KnobWilkes County, North Carolina · 13 mi awayCalcite, Galena, Pyrite
- Piney CreekAlleghany County, North Carolina · 17 mi awayManganese, Rutile
- Blowing RockWatauga County, North Carolina · 18 mi awayGold
Across the state line from South Hardin Mica Mine
South Hardin Mica Mine is close enough to the North Carolina border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- Mink RidgeGrayson County, Virginia · 19 mi awaySoapstone
- WhitetopGrayson County, Virginia · 20 mi awayCalcite, Fluorite, Selenite
- TroutdaleGrayson County, Virginia · 22 mi awayEpidote, Red Jasper, Unakite
- New RiverGrayson County, Virginia · 28 mi awayMagnetite
- MarionSmyth County, Virginia · 29 mi awayBarite, Calcite, Iron
- GalaxGrayson County, Virginia · 31 mi awaySpessartine Garnet
South Hardin Mica Mine FAQ
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