Gold City Gem Mine in Franklin, NC

Gold City Gem Mine in Franklin, North Carolina is located in one of the area's popular theme parks. It's open from April 1 to November 30 everyday except Wednesday and Thursday. Hours the theme park operates is 9 am to sundown. The park is located on Sylva Road.

The Gem Mine is the home of the 1061 carat sapphire that was so impressive that it was featured in several magazines such as Disney Adventure, Rock & Gem Magazine and People Weekly.

The location has recently been taken over by new management and also has a new flume. Admission is free and group tours can be arranged. Professional gem cutting and mounting is also available.

Gold City Gem Mine is closed two days a week so staff can take care of the jewelry making orders and stone cutting orders.

Visitors to Gold City Gem Mine can mine for their own stones. The mined stones can be taken to the company's jeweler for a free gem identification.

The company has Native and Enriched Gemstone buckets. After visitors have mined their own rough stones, and after the on-site professional jeweler provides a free inspection, visitors can have the stones professionally cut. Professionally cut stones can be mounted in either a silver or gold mount. It makes a beautiful souvenir for every visitor to this location.

Stones available at the Gem Mine include periodot, ametrine, amethyst, iolite, tourmaline, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, citrine, garnet, and silver topaz.

The most popular gem bucket is Gold City's international bucket. It's a 2.5 gallon bucket with international dirt that contains an assortment of rough gemstones. Each bucket also has a single cut gemstone ready for mounting. Cost for this bucket is less than $40.