Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine — Rockhounding in Macon County, North Carolina
Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Macon County, North Carolina. Reported finds include ruby, sapphire. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine in Macon County, North Carolina
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Macon County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Ruby Mine Road
- Postcode
- 28734
- Coordinates
- 35.27290, -83.35166
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
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
Found at Cherokee Ruby and 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 Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine.
- Sheep Knob MountainMacon County, North Carolina · 1 mi awayAquamarine
- Mason MountainMacon County, North Carolina · 2 mi awayCorundum, Garnet, Hornblende
- Cowee CreekMacon County, North Carolina · 2 mi awayGarnet, Ruby, Sapphire
- FranklinMacon County, North Carolina · 3 mi awayAmethyst, Bronzite, Epidote
- Rockhound Ridge Gem MineJackson County, North Carolina · 4 mi away
- Burningtown CreekMacon County, North Carolina · 7 mi awayPink Sapphire
- Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire MineMacon County, North Carolina · 7 mi awayRuby, Sapphire, Garnet
- Corundum HillTop pick in North CarolinaMacon County, North Carolina · 9 mi awayCorundum, Ruby, Blue Sapphire
Across the state line from Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine
Cherokee Ruby and 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.
- Charlie’s CreekTowns County, Georgia · 24 mi awayAmethyst
- Laurel Creek MineRabun County, Georgia · 25 mi awayCorundum
- Jack Branch & Shoal Branch AreaTowns County, Georgia · 26 mi awayAmethyst, Quartz
- GatlinburgSevier County, Tennessee · 31 mi awayQuartz, Gemstones
- Towns CountyTowns County, Georgia · 33 mi awayAmethyst
- Chatuge LakeTowns County, Georgia · 33 mi awayCorundum, Garnet, Kyanite
Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine FAQ
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More rockhounding in North Carolina
See all 198 North Carolina spots →Open Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine on the map
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