Where to Find Ruby
29 mapped ruby spots across 10 regions in 2 countries. Pick a region for its local guide, or browse every spot below. Ruby is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Every mapped ruby spot
Best spotCorundum HillMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Corundum, Ruby, Blue Sapphire +4- Best spotTallapoosa RiverCarroll County, GeorgiaPublic access · Ruby
Elijah Mountain Gem MineHenderson County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald +15- FranklinMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Amethyst, Bronzite, Epidote +11
- Higdon MountainMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Actinolite, Chalcedony, Chromite +10
- Cowee CreekMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire +8
AnakieQueenslandPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon, Ruby +4- Harts RangeNorthern TerritoryPublic access · Sapphire, Ruby, Beryl +3
- Mason Mtn Garnet MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Rhodolite, Garnet, Ruby +3
- SpartaSussex County, New JerseyPublic access · Chondrodite, Corundum, Ruby +3
- Turkey HillLumpkin County, GeorgiaPublic access · Garnet, Gold, Ruby +3
- Black Rock SpringsSweetwater County, WyomingPublic access · Garnet, Ruby, Peridot +2
- Butcher Knife DrawSweetwater County, WyomingPublic access · Garnet, Ruby, Peridot +2
- Pole CreekMadison County, MontanaPermission required · Garnet, Gold, Quartz +2
- White CountyWhite County, GeorgiaPublic access · Gold, Diamond, Topaz +2
- YinnietharraWestern AustraliaPermission required · Amethyst, Ruby, Rose Quartz +2
- Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet +1
- Chunky Gal Mountain - Perry GapClay County, North CarolinaPublic access · Corundum, Ruby, Smaragdite
- Mason's Ruby & Sapphire MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet
- Yogo GulchJudith Basin County, MontanaPublic access · Gold, Ruby, Sapphire
- Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire MineMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire
- MontvaleChatham County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire
- Outgamie CountyBrown County, WisconsinPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire
- River Near Lake MartinTallapoosa County, AlabamaCheck locally · Ruby, Sapphire
- Trap Rock GapUnion County, GeorgiaPublic access · Corundum, Ruby
- CummingForsyth County, GeorgiaPublic access · Ruby
- Newfound GapHaywood County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby
- Propst Farm Ruby MineCatawba County, North CarolinaFee dig · Ruby
- Split RockNatrona County, WyomingPublic access · Ruby
Top regions for ruby
United States
26 spots · 7 regionsAustralia
3 spots · 3 regionsRuby rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find ruby?+
North Carolina, Georgia, Wyoming have the highest concentrations of ruby in this list. Quality and access vary by area, so open the linked region pages for a detailed view.
How many ruby rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
29 mapped spots across 10 regions in 2 countries. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect ruby on public land?+
In the U.S., casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like ruby is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Rules differ by country and region, so always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify ruby in the field?+
Field identification of ruby comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
Hunt ruby on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
