Mason’s Ruby and Sapphire Mine
📍Franklin, North Carolina
One of North Carolina’s longest running dig-your-own gem mines, 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.
GPS coordinates:
35.21629, -83.53048
Land type:
Private
Digging fee:
Visitors Age 12+: $50/day
Visitors Age 6-11: $20/day
Kids under 6 dig for free.
The mine focuses on offering digging of native dirt, but also had some “enriched” options reportedly available in years past for families or those looking for a more casual experience. The mine also has historically offered ultraviolet hunting for rubies and sapphires at night, but its unclear if this will still be happening going forward.
What can you find?
This is a 100% native dirt mine. The mine itself is on a complex of corundum (ruby/sapphire) pegmatite veins. The signature find here is the “Mason’s Sapphire” which has a lavender to purple color. Many people like to dig and end up with a concentrated bucket of material and search it more carefully at home, typically under a blacklight. Corundum glows brilliant red under a blacklight.
Aside from its famed sapphires, visitors are also likely to come across sillimanite, garnet, rutile, kyanite, and a few others.
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.
Seasonality:
The mine is currently closed for the 2026 season.
Weather by month (using the nearest town):
Road condition notes:
Mining area should reportedly be accessible with virtually any vehicle, but may be muddy after a rain.
Public bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes (bathhouse)
RV hookups: No, but 9 primitive campsites are available.
Additional information:
Phone: (828) 369-9742
Website: masonsmine.com
Address: 6961 Upper Burningtown Rd, Franklin, NC 28734
Note: rockhoundingmap.com is a free resource created using public online information and has no partnership with Mason’s Ruby & Sapphire Mine.
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