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September 2024 by Craig Whyde
We went to Mason Mountain gem mine in franklin/cower NC. First off... the inside is amazing and all the gifts are stunning. The customer service was very friendly and welcoming. 40 per person... you get a 5 gallon bucket, screens, baggies and a shovel and handtrucks...
Now, you don't get a filled bucket of salted material. You get a empty bucket and you get to fill it will native dirt from the mine at the top of the mountain. You get to fill it AS MANY TIMES AS YOUR HEART DESIRES... well between 9am and 445pm. They have a water flume to wash and screen. The flume is covered too.
John was the host at the mine. He is half the experience. Before you begin he will show you what the mine has to offer and what to look for. Walks you through the entire process. This guy is super friendly and knowledgeable... not only that, periodically he past by and checks out what you've found and will identify and answer any questions you have.
When you are finished, you take your finds inside and have them appraised and weighed. They show off your finds under a UV light and can see your beautiful gems glow.
We will definitely be going back and I'd recommend this place if you are traveling through or even want to make a day trip.
Still not sure what the white rice grain looking thing is. It glowed orange under UV.
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September 2024 by Pamela Cripe
Great experience! We will definitely be back to add to our collection. John and Jackie were so friendly and helpful.
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September 2024 by BRS Be Right Service
Best mining in Franklin, North Carolina
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August 2024 by Grant Ambrose
If you're looking for a all-encompassing, from "mine-to-finger" experience, this is the place for you. I've explored mines from Spruce Pine to Franklin, NC, and I confidently say this is the best experience I've had. I loved the "dig-your-own" aspect. Being able to walk into the shop and have one's findings evaluated topped off the experience. There is no pressure to have anything cut or set either (however we did have three rubies cut and set in rings and one kyanite necklace made). And most importantly: the staff and owners. Top notch!! I cannot recommend this site enough. Looking forward to returning as often as I can.
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August 2024 by Bethany Parker
We had a wonderful time! Purchased an instant gratification bucket. With our kiddo it made for lots of fun. Got muddy and found some gorgeous pieces. Highly recommend!
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August 2024 by nicole jones
I recently visited and had an amazing experience! The staff and John especially was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, guiding us through the process of gem mining with patience and enthusiasm. The mine itself is well-maintained and offers a variety of gems to discover. My kids had a blast sifting through the dirt and finding beautiful stones. The prices are reasonable, and the entire experience is both educational and fun. I highly recommend for a unique and enjoyable family outing. We’ll definitely be back!
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July 2024 by Rhonda Nichols
It was raining, so we didnt do any mining $50 a bucket, but I did buy my granddaughter a big gallon size bag of dirt for $12. She found all kinds of goodies in it when we got home. Cool place.
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July 2024 by Andrea Beck
My smoky quartz I mined at Cowee. Tom did an amazing job making jewelry from our honeymoon. Highly recommend.
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June 2024 by Grateful Roses
The gift shop was pretty nice, lots of beautiful things for reasonable prices.
The mine on the other hand was disappointing, it cost $40 per adult to dig your own unlimited buckets from the tillings pile, which is way too much money in my opinion considering what we found we spend 3.5 hours and went through 6 large buckets of dirt, and left with not much, considering the time and effort we put in...
We found 2 lower quality sapphires,and 3 lower quality ruby's, nothing good enough to cut or polish, I maybe found one stone of good enough quality to make into a wire wrap pendant, but I don't think I could make jewelry to sell from what we found that would sell for enough to get back the money we paid for 2 of us to mine...
If the buckets were only $20 per person it would have been much more reasonable.
There's better places in the area, keep looking for a better place to dig.
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June 2024 by Timothy Kangas
This place is great. It's so fun to collect your own dirt then wash it you never know what you will find. Always have a great time and the staff is so friendly
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June 2024 by Dustin Epting
Outstanding people there. They never hesitated to answer questions and the ladies inside were a blast to talk with. Definitely going back!
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June 2024 by paul Martinez
Great place and location and nice finds will do it again also salted bucket well worth it, staff is assume ?
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June 2024 by Tais Suttles
We always have an amazing time when we go. They are so patient with and showing us and teaching us, specially my son. This is an amazing family business and I recommend to everyone.
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June 2024 by Donna Madlock
Best gem mining in the East!!
We’ve done the native dirt piles and found more than our share of rubies, sapphires, garnet and Rhodalite garnet, every single time we go! We cut, polish and make jewelry out of most of what we come home with! The “salted” buckets are a blast for the kids to find all of the colors of the rainbow. And, we find gem quality stones in every bucket.
The gift shop is filled with amazing gifts that change often. Go there for unique and beautiful gifts!!
Above all else, this mine is an EXPERIENCE!! Ginger, Tom, Jacki, and John are top notch in service and you will quickly become their family.
If you’re in Franklin, NC this is a “must stop” for a great adventure!!
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May 2024 by Mandy “Mouse” C
Always love going. Just wish I had fresh dirt to dig or told it was the last little bit before I paid. I don't know if I need to pay more to get to dig anywhere, but the guy that was there seemed to have OK to go anywhere. Still love coming there
