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Did you know that North Carolina is considered to be one of the best places in the world for rockhounding? Sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and more are waiting for you in the Tar Heel State, as you’ll discover in this overview.
In the Tar Heel State, rockhounds often come across these rocks and minerals:
- agate,
- flint,
- jasper,
- serpentine,
- emerald,
- quartz,
- unakite,
- corundum,
- aquamarine,
- garnet,
- kyanite,
- azurite,
- opal,
- and staurolite.
While the minerals and gems of this state certainly deserve their spotlight, let’s not ignore the rocks of North Carolina! In this overview, we will cover all the collectible rocks and minerals that make North Carolina a rockhound’s paradise and how you can find them.
If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
What Rocks Are Found in North Carolina
Before we dive into the minerals and gems of the Tar Heel State, let’s give the rocks the attention they deserve:
Agate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lake Summit | 35.226880, -82.418260 |
| Mitchell County | 36.029133, -82.184141 |
| Statesville | 35.801049, -80.896203 |
| Butner | 36.114958, -78.771433 |
| Creedmore | 36.114492, -78.697286 |
| Unaka | 35.197147, -84.141668 |
Both banded and moss agates can be found in North Carolina, and the type of agate you find depends on where you go in the state. Fortunately, agates are common and spread throughout the state, so rockhounds shouldn’t have any trouble getting their hands on some high-quality specimens.
For banded agates, visit Lake Summit, Mitchell County, or Unaka. If you’re on the hunt for moss agates, Statesville and Butner are the places to be.
Flint
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Flint Knob | 36.185125, -81.439292 |
| Flint Hill | 36.177112, -80.478221 |
| Savannah Creek | 35.293405, -83.266480 |
| Cape Fear River | 34.598914, -78.535243 |
| Cumberland County | 34.973958, -78.806619 |
| Kombow Lake | 35.102226, -78.933851 |
You can collect flint all over North Carolina, and it’s especially abundant on the beaches and riverbanks of this state. Flint Knob and Flint Hill are the two well-known places where most rockhounds are successful in their search for flint.
As mentioned, Flint Knob and Flint Hill are great places to collect flint in North Carolina, but you can also stop by Savannah Creek or Cape Fear River for this rock.
Recommendation box: All tools and equipment you need for rockhounding and rock identification* (Amazon links):
1. Estwing Rock Hammer – Light, comfortable, and extremely durable hammer.
2. Estwing Geologist Pick – Classic and the most trusted paleo pick in the world.
3. Finder 12-inch Chisels – Heavy-duty chisels set with hand protection.
4. Mini Handle Shovel – This is a great tool for digging deep in the dirt.
5 Ironclad Utility Work Gloves – Breathable, but they also protect the areas requiring them most.
6. 3M Safety Glasses – Comfortable and efficient goggles for rockhounding.
7. Convoy 8+ UV Light – 365nm UV LED flashlight with a patented glass filter.
8. Wesley’s Jewelers Loupe – High magnification options (30X and 60X) with carrying case.
9. Mohs Hardness Kit – A specially designed kit for rockhounds
*All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website.
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mount Airy | 36.496300, -80.605986 |
| Cape Fear River | 34.610719, -78.547608 |
| Creedmore | 36.114492, -78.697286 |
| Pee Dee River | 35.191380, -80.059521 |
| Franklin | 35.177809, -83.381132 |
| Charlotte | 35.181383, -80.909939 |
If you want to collect some beautiful jaspers, swing by north-central and eastern areas of North Carolina. These regions have plenty of stunning red jaspers for rockhounds to collect.
Fortunately, there are many areas that contain jasper in North Carolina, such as Mount Airy and the Cape Fear River.
Serpentine
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Little Scaly Mountain | 35.030814, -83.257590 |
| Burlington | 36.049313, -79.477445 |
| Wilksboro | 36.135013, -81.190798 |
| Alamance County | 36.043816, -79.451383 |
| Davis Mountain | 36.013012, -81.229808 |
Serpentine isn’t as common in North Carolina as the other rocks listed above, but it is present in multiple areas of the state. So, if you are going after some serpentine for your collection, you can find quality pieces in the Tar Heel State.
Davis Mountain and Little Scaly Mountain are two areas known to possess quality serpentines.
What Minerals Are Found in North Carolina
The moment you’ve all been waiting for it here, and now we will cover the amazing minerals and gems of North Carolina:
Emerald
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Emerald Hollow Mine | 35.913587, -81.082952 |
| Hiddenite | 35.902215, -81.087942 |
| Crabtree Emerald Mine | 35.874309, -82.120183 |
| Elijah Mountain Gem Mine | 35.324172, -82.503709 |
| First Broad River | 35.217023, -81.607275 |
| Alexander County | 35.830887, -81.201887 |
Emerald was designated North Carolina’s official precious stone in 1973 due to its abundance and the spectacular finds that appear in this state.
Two well-known emeralds from North Carolina are the Carolina Queen, which is 18.9 carats, and the Carolina Prince, which is 7.85 carats. Additionally, it’s worth noting that North Carolina produces true emeralds, not just light green beryls like some other states.
One popular place to find emeralds in North Carolina is Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, one of the few pay-to-dig sites in the state. You can also visit areas near Emerald Hollow Mine and Crabtree Emerald Mine to find these precious green crystals.
TIP: Emerald is one of the most well-known valuable gemstones; therefore, it is widely faked and substituted. Check out the guide in the article below:
Real vs. Fake Emerald: Focus on These 11 Key Differences
Quartz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Neuse River | 35.050281, -76.649210 |
| Mount Ulla | 35.656620, -80.724301 |
| Tyro | 35.808539, -80.372832 |
| Mooresville | 35.575825, -80.809835 |
| Hiddenite | 35.902215, -81.087942 |
| Big Creek | 35.724909, -83.162286 |
As you would expect from a state that’s overflowing with minerals, North Carolina has many different types of quartz, including amethyst, smoky quartz, and rose quartz. Amethysts are particularly abundant all throughout the state, and you can find some large specimens near Neuse River.
If you want to bring home amethysts, the Neuse River and Mount Ulla are some of the best sites in the state. For smoky quartz, Hiddenite and Big Creek are great spots to go.
Unakite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Clay County | 35.006872, -83.733417 |
| Roaring Fork | 35.753484, -82.194632 |
| Roan Mountain | 36.103416, -82.110486 |
| Marlin Knob | 35.509473, -81.840120 |
| Cranberry | 36.142971, -81.968048 |
| Cherokee County | 35.078831, -83.951770 |
Unakite is a gorgeous, colorful mineral that displays a pink and green speckled pattern, and the stones from North Carolina are of exceptional quality. As a matter of fact, unakite from North Carolina is often incorporated into jewelry and artwork.
Pick up some stunning unakite stones from Clay County, Cherokee County, and the banks of the Roaring Fork River.
Corundum
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mason Mountain | 35.245783, -83.393187 |
| North Toe River | 35.972446, -82.190295 |
| Crowder’s Mountain | 35.231963, -81.276911 |
| Macon County | 35.086421, -83.334050 |
| Buck Creek | 36.239757, -106.429970 |
| Cowee Creek | 35.268431, -83.396847 |
One of the main reasons rockhounds visit North Carolina is to find corundum, or more specifically, rubies and sapphires. Rubies and sapphires are a part of the corundum family, and they can be found in multiple areas of North Carolina.
Additionally, it’s important to note that corundum actually comes in a wide range of colors, but rubies and sapphires are the most well-known types. Other colors of corundum that you might run into in North Carolina are pink, purple, grey, yellow, brown, dark blue, green, and red.
Some well-known areas for North Carolina corundum are the North Toe River, Crowder’s Mountain, and Cowee Creek.
TIP: Rubies don’t pop up anywhere; you must research your area beforehand. Check out the complete guide in the article below:
Where to Find Rubies: Best Environments & Locations (USA)
Aquamarine
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Emerald Hollow Mine | 35.913822, -81.083070 |
| Hiddenite | 35.895749, -81.090345 |
| South Mountains | 35.595369, -81.695652 |
| Sheep Knob Mountain | 35.278453, -83.373585 |
| Buffalo Creek | 35.456948, -81.491850 |
| Stice Shoal Lake Dam | 35.394569, -81.553233 |
With crystals resembling clear blue waters, it’s no wonder that aquamarine is a popular find in North Carolina. Rockhounds uncover gem-quality aquamarine in many of the same areas where emeralds are found, which makes sense since both are a part of the beryl family.
Emerald Hollow Mine, the South Mountains, and Buffalo Creek are some great locations to find aquamarine.
Garnet
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Bullhead Mountain | 35.716120, -82.358394 |
| Cowee Creek | 35.268711, -83.397105 |
| Crowder’s Mountain | 35.231998, -81.276654 |
| Big Creek | 35.722564, -83.164623 |
| Gold Hill | 35.520936, -80.338328 |
| Looking Glass Falls | 35.295818, -82.768927 |
Both gem-quality and almandine garnets exist in the Tar Heel State, and you can collect exceptionally large crystals in specific regions. Luckily, every rockhound who visits North Carolina will have the opportunity to collect this mineral since they exist in almost every rockhounding area in the state.
As mentioned, finding garnets in North Carolina is a simple task since they exist almost everywhere. Streams, gravels, washes, and mountains are always good places to start.
Kyanite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Crowder’s Mountain | 35.231998, -81.276654 |
| Cowee Creek | 35.268711, -83.397105 |
| Franklin | 35.192681, -83.379759 |
| Lookout Mountain | 35.637304, -82.286957 |
| Cranberry | 36.143006, -81.967876 |
| Bullhead Mountain | 35.716120, -82.358394 |
Kyanite, a stunning blue mineral, is often pulled from the mines that are scattered throughout North Carolina. The specimens from this state appear in both light and dark blue hues, and many are gem-quality.
Bullhead Mountain, Crowder’s Mountain, and Lookout Mountain are three areas to visit if you’re on the hunt for gem-quality kyanite.
TIP: Geologists have fun! Sometimes, as a joke, geologists are called paid tourists. Check out the article on how to become geologist below:
How to Become A Geologist (Time, Costs, Skills & More)
Azurite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Cabarrus County | 35.290736, -80.598266 |
| Eldorado | 35.466733, -80.029344 |
| Elk Knob | 36.333306, -81.696721 |
| Bennet | 35.562066, -79.542494 |
| Reed Gold Mine | 35.286134, -80.465370 |
In the Tar Heel State, azurite is typically discovered alongside malachite, which is no surprise since they are both copper-based minerals. You can find well-formed crystals in various areas of the state, especially the central-north regions.
The one place you need to visit if you want to bring home North Carolina azurite is Cabarrus County.
Opal
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Shooting Creek | 35.025260, -83.666833 |
| Cape Fear River | 34.615263, -78.547102 |
| Higdon Mountain | 35.163007, -83.274936 |
| Elf | 35.023904, -83.748206 |
| Concord | 35.397350, -80.589530 |
| Danbury | 36.410873, -80.218473 |
Did you know that North Carolina is one of the few places where you can find hyalite opal geodes? These are one of the few types of geodes that exist in the state, and they are only found in Shooting Creek. In addition to geodes, rockhounds also pick up common and hyalite opal stones from various waterways and creeks.
Shooting Creek has both hyalite opal geodes and stones, so it’s the perfect place to start your rockhounding journey in North Carolina.
Staurolite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Hanging Dog Creek | 35.105842, -84.077204 |
| Cowee Creek | 35.268711, -83.396761 |
| Bryson City | 35.427992, -83.445349 |
| Chunky Gal Mountain | 35.030854, -83.579368 |
| Little Snowbird Mountains | 35.243627, -83.870933 |
| Vengeance Creek | 35.154789, -83.911115 |
Known for its unique, cross-like shape, staurolite is a rare mineral that you can collect along with many of the other minerals discussed above. While the six-point crosses exist in this state, they are much rarer than the four-point crosses.
Staurolite can be found in the Hanging Dog Creek, Cowee Creek, Bryson City, and Chunky Gal Mountain.
TIP: North Carolina’s golden legacy extends deeper than any mine in the state. Check out the complete gold prospecting guide in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in North Carolina: 7 Best Locations & Laws
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in North Carolina
Even with all the rocks and minerals listed above, North Carolina still has more to offer rockhounds:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in North Carolina
North Carolina is famous for its minerals, but it does have a few rare rocks, including agates, jaspers, and serpentines. All these rocks from this state are high-quality, especially the red jaspers.
Agates and jaspers are widespread throughout the state, and even though serpentine is present, it’s not as common as the other two rocks.
North Carolina is a large region, but Unaka and Franklin are two of the top places for finding rare rocks and minerals in the state. Additionally, both of these regions have more than one collectible rock or mineral, so you can save time during your trip.
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in North Carolina
The list of rare minerals in North Carolina is a long one, so get ready!
Some rare gems and minerals that are present in North Carolina are rubies, sapphires, emeralds, staurolites, opals, kyanites, azurites, garnets, aquamarines, unakites, amethysts, smoky quartzes, tourmalines, gold, topazes, citrines, labradorites, peridots, diamonds, and sunstones.
Some of these minerals are rarer than others, such as diamonds, but some precious stones are fairly common in North Carolina, such as emeralds, sapphires, and rubies.
Crowder’s Mountain, Cowee Creek, Bullhead Mountain, and Cape Fear River are top-notch rockhounding sites in North Carolina. Also, you can find multiple gems and minerals at these sites, so you’ll be able to cut back on travel time.
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)
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in North Carolina
North Carolina has some amazing gems, but in this state, the emeralds stand out from all the rest. Not only are these gems abundant in the state, but they are also of exceptional quality and immense size.
Also, there are plenty of rockhounding sites and resources available for emerald hunters in this state, so finding this mineral isn’t as difficult as you might think.
The emerald mines of North Carolina are the best places to go for this gem. Scroll up to the emerald section to see all the different options and locations.
Conclusion
It’s easy to see why North Carolina has such a great reputation among rockhounds! This single state possesses vast amounts of precious gems, minerals, and even some neat rocks. If you can only visit a single state for rockhounding this year, North Carolina should be your top choice.
No matter where you go in the state, you’ll return with some amazing, once-in-a-lifetime finds that will be the stars of your collection!
TIP: North Carolina is among the best rockhounding states in the U.S. It is arguably the best place worldwide for crystal and gemstone hunting. Find out more below:
GUIDE: Best Rockhounding in North Carolina & What to Find