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Cashiers area Facilities
Note: telephone area code is 828
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Franklin area Facilities
Note: telephone area code is 828
Located in the "Old Jail" on Phillips St. across from the Macon County Courthouse. Open daily May 1st - October 31st, 10am - 4pm. Founded in 1974 by members of the Franklin Gem & Mineral Society, with the cooperation of county commissioners and local businesses, the museum is renovated and maintained by volunteers. Includes the North Carolina Room, the States Room and the "Slammer". Free Admission. 2 West Main St., Franklin, NC 28734. ph.828-369-7831
see also: Franklin area Gem Mines
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Franklin area Gem Mines
Mother Nature places the gemstones in beds of clay where they have remained undisturbed for perhaps millions of years until we excavate them from the hills and rivers of Macon County. Most mines sell gem dirt in a bucket or bag (few allow digging) and you may have to pay an admission fee for the day. You are provided with a screen for washing and there is a flume - a trough of running water - with a bench along it's length. The dirt goes in the screen, the screen goes in the water and the mud is washed away. Well, it's not quite that easy but it is completely safe and mine operators are on hand to help with technique and identification.
The "3 c's" of gem mining are Color, Clarity and Crystals. Gemstones come in every color from white to black. Garnets are glassy red , pink or reddish brown. Rubies are silky red, sapphires are every other color, and both have a crystal formation with 6 sides. Moonstones are pearly white to gray and peach to chocolate brown with a flat box-like shape. Quartz comes in many forms, sometimes clear colors like Amethyst and Citrine, sometimes opaque colors with mica flecks like Aventurine and of course clear with sides - quartz crystals. That's just a few of the many gemstones found at local mines.
Stop in at one of the many gem shops for a crash course in gem identification or spend some time at The Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum in the old jailhouse on Phillips St. in historic downtown Franklin.
see also: Franklin Area Gem Mines
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Highlands area Facilities
Note: telephone area code is 828
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