Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
At this Great Smoky Mountain-area mine in Franklin, North Carolina, about 60 miles southwest of Blowing Rock, you might find rubies, sapphires, garnets, and rutile (similar to hematite). Your admission fee gets you two buckets, a screen box, and a seat cushion, which you use at the flume line. For a dollar extra, you can get a shade umbrella. Admission: $15 for ages 12 and up, $10 for kids 6 to 11; free for ages 5 and under. Open Apr. 1- Oct. 31.
Source: MiniTime, Inc.
A great big-small town. Home grown entrepreneurs, antiques, many restaurants, unique shopping , a beautiful canal waterway, museums, a variety of coffee shops, a wonderful walking town!