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North Carolina is among the best rockhounding states in the U.S. It is arguably the best place worldwide for crystal and gemstone hunting. The western and central regions of North Carolina are among the most mineralized terrain in the world.
You can find rubies, emeralds, gold, diamonds, jade, opal, aquamarine, amethyst, geodes, sapphires, quartz crystals, rutile crystals, agate, jasper, topaz, kyanite, platinum, and various other minerals and fossils. The richest regions are in the central and western parts of the state, around Franklin or Piedmont.
The stream gravels in this state are also filled with various collectible specimens, and the areas around the mountains are also abundant in minerals, gemstones, crystals, and fossils. Let’s see exactly where to go rockhounding in North Carolina and what you can find!
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Best Rockhounding Sites in North Carolina
The best rockhounding locations are in the central and western regions, particularly near Franklin, the gravel and mountainous areas, and Piedmont. The Emerald Hollow Mine, Corundum Hill, Shining Rock Ledge, Elijah Mt. Gem Mine, Crabtree Emerald Mine, Neuse River, Raleigh, and Crowders Mountain are great rockhounding spots.
You can also try your luck at Little Pine Garnet Mine, Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine, Hiddenite, Hall & Silver Creek, Balsam Gap Mine, Unaka, Kings Mountain, Burnsville, Davidson County, Clubb Mountain, Crowders Mountain, Island Creek, Cape Fear River, Cumberland County, and Cowee Creek, among many other places.
All of them are great rockhounding spots in North Carolina where you can find a variety of specimens. Let’s look at a few of them and see what you can find!
Emerald Hollow Mine
The Emerald Hollow Mine is located in Western North Carolina and is among the best rockhounding locations in the state. You can find emerald, tourmaline, aquamarine, sapphire, garnet, clear smoky quartz, topaz, amethyst, citrine, rutile, and other minerals here.
Elijah Mountain Gem Mine
The Elijah Mountain Gem Mine is also in western North Carolina, and it’s even richer. Adventurers can find here rubies, amazonite, sapphire, labradorite, emerald, quartz crystals, citrine, amethyst, garnet, aventurine, sodalite, peridot, opal, fluorite, aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline, and pyrite.
Franklin
The town of Franklin is possibly the best rockhounding location in North Carolina. You can find just about anything in the many area mines and prospects near it.
From amethyst, bronzite, epidote, fibrolite, garnet, jasper, kyanite, dendritic quartz crystals, rhodochrosite, ruby, rutile, sapphire, sphalerite to staurolite, and many other gemstones, crystals, and minerals.
Crowders Mountain
In central North Carolina, you will find Crowders Mountain. It is one of the many rockhounding hot spots in the region.
You can find here barite, chalcopyrite, corundum, gold-bearing galena, gold, garnet, hematite, limonite, magnetite, blue-gem quality kyanite, rutile crystals, topaz, tourmaline, and many other things.
Clubb Mountain
The area mines and exposures near Clubb Mountain in central North Carolina are also among the best rockhounding locations in the central parts of the state. You can find corundum, lazulite, gem-quality kyanite, damourite, gold, garnet, hematite, magnetite, rutile crystals, or tourmaline.
Island Creek
The eastern parts of North Carolina aren’t as rich as the others; however, there are some awesome rockhounding locations, such as Island Creek.
The area mines east of Little Island Creek are filled with chalcopyrite, apatite, fluorite, hyalite opal, galena, quartz crystals, rhodochrosite, scheelite, sphalerite, and tetrahedrite.
Cumberland County
Another awesome eastern North Carolina rockhounding location is Cumberland County. The countywide stream gravels, pits, and other regions are filled with agate, chert, jasper, chalcedony, opal, and agatized wood.
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
Best Rockhounding Clubs in North Carolina
The best rockhounding clubs in North Carolina are Catawba Valley Gem & Mineral Club, Greensboro Gem & Mineral Club, and TarHeel Gem & Mineral Club. Though North Carolina is filled with countless rockhounding locations, and you can find just about anything, everything is much more fun with a couple of friends!
So don’t hesitate to contact these clubs and make new acquaintances. You might also discover some new rockhounding locations in the state or have people show you around.
Can You Take Rocks from Black Hills National Forest?
If you want to collect rocks from the Black Hills National Forest, know you don’t have to obtain a permit.
However, you can only carry small rocks and minerals from the surface for personal use. There are some historical sites here, however, where rockhounding is prohibited. Be sure to do your research beforehand.
TIP: Alluvial deposits along rivers are brilliant places to go rockhounding. Find out the best tips on finding gemstones in the nature in the article below:
8 Tips On Finding Gemstones In Nature (Rivers & Creeks)
Common Rocks in North Carolina
The most common or popular rocks in North Carolina are gates, geodes, flint, chert, jasper, epidote, staurolite, unakite, itacolumite, sandstone, limestone, marmolite, serpentine, aventurine, moonstone, sunstone, sodalite, rhodochrosite, among many others. Meteorites are also occasionally found in the state as well.
| Rock | Location |
|---|---|
| Flint | Flint Knob, Flint Hill, |
| Agate | Unaka, Butner, Chapel Hill, Cape Fear River |
| Geodes | Shooting Creek, |
If you want to find Flint in North Carolina, you should go to either Flint Knob or Flint Hill. However, the best places to find flint in this state are on the beaches. North Carolina beaches are filled with flint, and so are the various river banks and even streams.
The variety of agates is limited in North Carolina. However, you can find them across the state. To find regular agates in western North Carolina, go to Unaka and search in gravels and pits.
You can also find them on the western shore of Lake Summit or in Mitchell County in gravel, pits, and streams.
In central North Carolina, you can find agates in the general area of Butner or Statesville, the large area south of Mooresville. Moss agates can be found in Chapel Hill on surfaces, gravels, and creeks.
You can also try your luck in Hillsborough, in the area of gravels and streams. To find agates in eastern North Carolina, search the Cape Fear River and tributaries, especially the gravels, or go to Cumberland County and search the wide stream gravels and pits.
Regarding finding geodes in North Carolina, there is only one confirmed hunting ground in western North Carolina, namely the Shooting Creek. Here, explorers can find beautiful and rare hyalite opal geodes in the area of outcrops and gravels.
Finding meteorites in North Carolina is also difficult. There are around thirteen confirmed meteorite findings in the state. However, the last one occurred in the 1930s, so it’s been over 90 years since then.
TIP: Rocks like agate are one of the most popular rocks for rock tumbling. There are some key supplies and equipment you need to ensure your tumbled rocks come out looking smooth and shiny. Check them out in the article below:
GUIDE: Rock Tumbler Accessories, Equipment & Supplies
What Gems Can Be Found in North Carolina?
North Carolina is filled with various gemstones. You can find emerald, rubies, pyrite, amethyst, jade, hiddenite, opal, sapphire, aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline, garnet, feldspar, kyanite, beryl, quartzite, epidote, chalcedony, jasper, hornblende, carnelian, titanite, rubellite, andalusite, cassiterite, or barite gems among many others.
| Gemstone | Location |
|---|---|
| Emerald | Emerald Hollow Mine, Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, Crabtree Emerald Mine |
| Rubies | Franklin, Newfound Gap, Corundum Hill |
| Pyrite | Grandmother Mountain, Collettsville, Anson County |
| Amethyst | Otto, Tyro, Butner, Mooresville |
| Jade | Fayetteville, Burnsville, Elijah Mountain Gem Mine |
You can find emeralds in almost all the state’s regions in North Carolina. In western North Carolina, you can find emeralds at the Emerald Hollow Mine or Hiddenite. They are present in Elijah Mountain Gem Mine as well.
The area northeast of Stice Shoal Lake Dam is also abundant in emeralds, or you can go to Emerald Village at the Crabtree Emerald Mine. Emeralds are present in the many mines around Burnsville.
Ruby has a particular beauty, and you can find plenty of astonishing rubies in the western parts of North Carolina. You can find them at Elijah Mountain Gem Mine or the pegmatite area in Newfound Gap. You can also pay a small fee and search for them in the Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine.
In the many areas around Franklin Town, rubies are quite common. In the dunite exposures of Corundum Hill, you can also find rubies, or you can try your luck at Higdon Mountain, the area south near U.S. 64. The various area mines of Cowee Creek are also filled with rubies, but if you are in central North Carolina, go to Montvale, and search for them in the area.
If you want to find pyrite in North Carolina, head to Grandmother Mountain and search for it. The road cuts to the north of Collettsville, where you can find pyrite cubes. In the countywide stream gravels of Anson County, you can also find pyrite or go to Eldorado, the old area mines.
Amethyst is incredibly common in North Carolina, and you can find it throughout the state. Try your luck in the general area of Butner, central North Carolina. In Tyro, they are found in the southern parts. Go west of Lake Norman in Mooresville, or go to Gold Hill and search the area for quarries and mines.
Finding jade in North Carolina is quite rare. Try your luck at the Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, or head towards Fayetteville. You might be able to find jade in the many mines around Cowee Creek or Burnsville.
TIP: If you will be lucky and find jade gemstone you might be interested in its value. Check out the main factors of jade value in the article below:
6 Factors Why Jade is Valuable (+ Prices for Colors & More)
What Minerals Are Found in North Carolina?
North Carolina is rich in minerals. You can find Gold, diamonds, spodumene, sphalerite, rutile, corundum, vermiculite, platinum, silver, labradorite, purpurite, galena, beryl, kyanite, smithsonite, malachite, hornblende, muscovite, magnetite, limonite, chalcedony, feldspar, calcite, mica, siderite, lazulite, and many others.
| Mineral | Location |
|---|---|
| Gold | Cane Creek, Little Snowbird Mountains, Blowing Rock |
| Diamond | Hall & Silver Creek, Kings Mountain, South Muddy Creek, Hollands Creek |
| Platinum | Hollands Creek, Sandy Level Church, Brown Mountain |
Gold is easy to find in North Carolina. You can easily find gold in the gravels near Cane Creek or at Brown Mountain. The area placers in Grandmother Mountain or the many schist outcrops of Little Snowbird Mountains are also abundant in gold. Placer gold can be found in the gravels, Unaka pits, or McDowell County stream gravels.
If you want to find diamonds in North Carolina, rest assured that there are various places to try your luck! Many diamond specimens were found in the Hall Creek and Silver Creek gravels. The gravel of Kings Mountains is also a popular place to find diamonds.
You can find diamonds in South Muddy Creek, near Dysartsville, or in the mining dumps in Sandy Level Church. Diamonds are also found in Hollands Creek, in the gravels near Rutherfordton.
TIP: If you want to know more about gold prospecting in North Carolina, check out the complete guide in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in North Carolina: 7 Best Locations & Laws
Where to Find Crystals in North Carolina?
North Carolina is the best state in the world to find crystals. The best regions are in western, central, and eastern North Carolina. Mineral, gemstone, and rock crystals are everywhere in the state.
The public mines and their tailings, rocky outcrops, and the gravels of streams, especially near Franklin, are the best places to find crystals.
Some of the crystals you can find in North Carolina include citrine, rutile crystals, magnetite crystals, fluorite, graphite, cerussite, peridot crystals, vivianite, titanite, clinozoisite, quartz crystals, beryl crystals, rock crystals, feldspar crystals, garnet crystals, kyanite crystals, olivine crystals, actinolite crystals, epidote crystals, pyrite crystals, hornblende crystals, or amethyst crystals, among many others.
Fossils Collecting in North Carolina
Shark teeth, particularly megalodon teeth, are among the most popular fossils in North Carolina. The best places to find them are the beaches near the Atlantic Coast.
Topsail Beach is the best among them, where you can find fossilized megalodon teeth, usually during low tides or after storms, or you can find regular simple shark teeth.
If you want to find arrowheads in North Carolina, you can try your luck in the plowed fields, creeks, and river banks. Any hunting ground where animals gather is a potential place to find arrowheads. The Piedmont region of North Carolina is particularly favored in finding arrowheads.
But in North Carolina, you can also find sea glass apart from various gems, minerals, rocks, relics, and fossils. Some of the best locations to find sea glass in North Carolina include Ocracoke, Pea Island, and Bodie Island. Just wipe away the seashells and look closely for sea glass, or it might skip your eyes easily.
Another interesting and rare specimen that you can find in North Carolina is amber. Amber is incredibly rare, and you can try your luck at the Black Creek Formation along the Neuse River in North Carolina to find some. Amber is found in twelve states in the U.S. and around thirteen outside the United States.
TIP: It’s a real adventure and quite an interesting performance to identify real amber and spot a fake. Find out the key differences between real and fake amber in the article beow:
Real vs. Fake Amber: 9 Key Differences & UV Light Testing
FAQ About Rockhounding in North Carolina
I still have not found the answer to your questions about rockhounding in North Carolina. Find frequently asked questions in the section below:
Where is the Best Place for Rock Digging in North Dakota?
North Dakota is a good state to find interesting and cool rocks. Some of the best rockhounding locations in North Dakota are along the major rivers and their tributaries.
Agates and jasper are quite common there. The Yellowstone, Missouri, and Cannonball Rivers are among the best places to start digging for rocks in North Dakota.
What is North Carolina’s State Fossil?
The official state fossil of North Carolina is the fossilized shark teeth of the giant and ancient Megalodon shark. This monstrous shark feasted on whales and other large marine animals about 23 million years ago.
Its teeth were over 7 inches long, and megalodon shark teeth frequently appear on North Carolina’s rivers and beaches.
What is North Carolina’s State Rock?
The official state rock of North Carolina has been granite since 1979. The largest granite quarry in the world is located here, outside Mount Airy in Surry County. It is one mile long and 1,800 feet in width.
The granite is of the highest quality and is frequently used as a building material in industrial and laboratory applications.
What is North Carolina’s State Mineral?
The official state mineral of North Carolina is gold since 2011. The gold rush began in North Carolina in 1799 after a twelve-year-old named Conrad Reed discovered a seventeen-pound gold nugget in Little Meadow Creek in Cabarrus County. The discovery took place on his family’s farm. Gold is found throughout the state, though.
Conclusion
North Carolina is among the best rockhounding states in the United States and the best state in the world to find crystals. If you are lucky enough to head towards North Carolina on a rockhounding adventure, you will be in for a pleasant surprise!
TIP: We have all been there: realizing you are missing something not more than 5 minutes after you have embarked on a mineral hunt. Let me help you with the list of all tools you need for rockhounding in the article below: