GPS: 35.76274, -82.72431
Land type:
Private
Digging fee:
Visitors age 12+, $50/day
Visitors age 6-11, $20/day
Kids under 6 dig for free.

Description:
Mason’s Ruby & Sapphire Mine has been running for nearly 120 years with public access beginning in the 1940s. Initially, many of its stones found their way into Tiffany Jewelry pieces. It’s still got its original roots, with historic mining remnants scattered around the property including shafts and tunnels. Its sapphire is distinct for its lavender to purple color.

This is a native dirt mine. The mine itself is on a complex of corundum (ruby/sapphire) pegmatite veins. The mine has a flume where you’ll be able to take buckets of material that you’ve dug to sort through with running water. Taking home material you find and searching it with a blacklight in a dark room is very helpful. Corundum glows brilliant orange-red under a blacklight.

Aside from its famed sapphires, visitors are also likely to come across sillimanite, garnet, rutile, kyanite, and a few others - this isn’t an exhaustive list.

Seasonality:

The mine is currently closed for the 2026 season.

Road condition notes:

Mining area should reportedly be accessible with virtually any vehicle, but reports suggest it might be muddy after a rain.

Additional information:

Website: masonsmine.com
Address: 6961 Upper Burningtown Rd, Franklin, NC 28734