The 31st annual Hellgate Mineral Society Gem and Mineral Show as well as the 2026 Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies Convention is almost here.

Western North Carolina offers several locations for gem mining and exploration. Emerald Village, near Spruce Pine, allows visitors to dig for gems and go underground. Other popular spots in and around ...

Digging for rare crystals at a private mine—this was next-level! From sparkling finds to deep digs, we had an unforgettable day uncovering hidden gems beneath the earth. Could we have discovered ...

Some of Western North Carolina’s “rockhounds” are mining for rubies and emeralds worth $50M or more. Others dig for something deeper.

To mark International Women’s Day we’re digging into an often overlooked, but critical sector for the global economy, and for many millions of women: Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM). From gold, ...

Rockhounding is not a hobby you hear about every day. Loosely defined as the practice of recreationally hunting for gems and semi-precious stones in their natural habitats, it's primarily seen as a ...

Imagine this, a young gemologist frowned as she inspected a ruby. “Without documentation, this could be from anywhere,” she sighed, articulating a frustration that haunts the global gemstone market: ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Western North Carolina is known for its hills full of hidden treasures. From rubies and sapphires to emeralds and gold, the region ...