Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine: Ruby & Sapphire Rockhounding in Macon County, North Carolina
- Minerals reported
- 4
- Elevation
- 2,070 ft
- Best months
- Year-round
Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Macon County, North Carolina. Reported finds include ruby, sapphire, garnet, quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Pay-to-dig site
- County
- Macon County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Crestview Heights
- Postcode
- 28734
- Coordinates
- 35.17000, -83.38000
Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.
Land & collecting status
Pay-to-dig site
This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out.
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 Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 48°F in winter to 84°F in summer.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, FRANKLIN station (1 mi away).
Geology at Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
This spot sits on Coweeta Group; Amphibolite, mapped as amphibolite that formed roughly 1600 to 540 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this typically carries quartz veins and sweats, and weathered crystals tend to end up in the soils and streams below.
- Mapped unit
- Coweeta Group; Amphibolite
- Age
- 1600–540 Ma (Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic)
- Rock types
- amphibolite
- Elevation
- 2,070 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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The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine.
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 Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire 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 Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine.
- FranklinMacon County, North Carolina · 4 mi awayAmethyst, Bronzite, Epidote
- Rose Creek MineMacon County, North Carolina · 5 mi awayGarnet
- Higdon MountainMacon County, North Carolina · 5 mi awayActinolite, Chalcedony, Chromite
- Corundum HillMacon County, North Carolina · 5 mi awayCorundum, Ruby, Blue Sapphire
- Mason MountainMacon County, North Carolina · 5 mi awayCorundum, Garnet, Hornblende
- Mason Mtn Garnet MineMacon County, North Carolina · 5 mi awayRhodolite, Garnet, Ruby
- Cowee CreekMacon County, North Carolina · 7 mi awayGarnet, Ruby, Sapphire
- OttoMacon County, North Carolina · 7 mi awayAmethyst, Garnet, Quartz
Across the state line from Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire 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.
- Charlie’s CreekTowns County, Georgia · 18 mi awayAmethyst
- Laurel Creek MineRabun County, Georgia · 19 mi awayCorundum
- Jack Branch & Shoal Branch AreaTowns County, Georgia · 20 mi awayAmethyst, Quartz
- Towns CountyTowns County, Georgia · 27 mi awayAmethyst
- Chatuge LakeTowns County, Georgia · 28 mi awayCorundum, Garnet, Kyanite
- Tallulah FallsRabun County, Georgia · 29 mi awayCitrine, Quartz, Smoky Quartz
Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine FAQ
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