Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine — Rockhounding in Jackson County, North Carolina
Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Jackson County, North Carolina. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine in Jackson County, North Carolina
Quick details
- Access
- Paid / fee dig
- County
- Jackson County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- US 23;US 441;US 64 Truck
- Postcode
- 28779
- Coordinates
- 35.27780, -83.28842
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:
- North Carolina Geological Survey
- Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
- Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine.
- Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire MineMacon County, North Carolina · 4 mi awayRuby, Sapphire
- Mason MountainMacon County, North Carolina · 5 mi awayCorundum, Garnet, Hornblende
- Sheep Knob MountainMacon County, North Carolina · 5 mi awayAquamarine
- FranklinMacon County, North Carolina · 5 mi awayAmethyst, Bronzite, Epidote
- Cowee CreekMacon County, North Carolina · 6 mi awayGarnet, Ruby, Sapphire
- Corundum HillTop pick in North CarolinaMacon County, North Carolina · 9 mi awayCorundum, Ruby, Blue Sapphire
- Higdon MountainMacon County, North Carolina · 9 mi awayActinolite, Chalcedony, Chromite
- Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire MineMacon County, North Carolina · 9 mi awayRuby, Sapphire, Garnet
Across the state line from Rockhound Ridge Gem Mine
Rockhound Ridge Gem 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.
- Laurel Creek MineRabun County, Georgia · 24 mi awayCorundum
- Charlie’s CreekTowns County, Georgia · 27 mi awayAmethyst
- Jack Branch & Shoal Branch AreaTowns County, Georgia · 29 mi awayAmethyst, Quartz
- GatlinburgSevier County, Tennessee · 31 mi awayQuartz, Gemstones
- Towns CountyTowns County, Georgia · 36 mi awayAmethyst
- Chatuge LakeTowns County, Georgia · 36 mi awayCorundum, Garnet, Kyanite
