Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine: Ruby & Sapphire Rockhounding in Macon County, North Carolina

Updated August 2026

Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Macon County, North Carolina. Reported finds include ruby, sapphire, garnet. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Paid / fee dig
County: Macon County
State: North Carolina
Nearest road: Upper Burningtown Road
Postcode: 28734
Coordinates: 35.21631, -83.53049

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.

Sources & 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: April 1, 2026

North Carolina Geological Survey
Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine

Each chip 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 Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine.

Across the state line from Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine

Mason's 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.

Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine FAQ

Where is Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine?+

Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine is in Macon County, North Carolina, at 35.21631, -83.53049. Nearest road: Upper Burningtown Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine?+

Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine is reported to produce Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet.

Is collecting allowed at Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine?+

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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine?+

A rock hammer, a sieve, and a small shovel work well for garnet-type minerals, which concentrate as resistant grains in soils and creek gravels.

How do I get to Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.21631, -83.53049 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Upper Burningtown Road.

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