Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine

Downtown Cherokee Hwy 441N Cherokee, NC 28719

About

Strike it rich during your visit to Cherokee at Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine. Located in the heart of downtown Cherokee, this hands-on attraction gives families the opportunity to experience the excitement of gem mining and discover colorful treasures to take home.

 

There is no general admission fee, and the equipment you need for the mining experience is provided. Choose your mining material, head to the flume, and start searching to see what treasures you can uncover.

 

Depending on the mining material selected, guests may discover gemstones including emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, garnets, topaz, and more. Part of the fun is never knowing exactly what you’ll find as you sift and search through your material.

 

Once you’ve uncovered your treasures, take them to one of the professionals at Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine for complimentary gemstone identification. They can help you learn more about what you found and determine which stones might be suitable for polishing or turning into a keepsake.

 

Select gemstones can be cut and polished to reveal their color and beauty. Guests can even choose from jewelry settings and have their finds transformed into rings, necklaces, and other one-of-a-kind pieces. Same-day cutting, polishing, and jewelry services may be available depending on the stone and service requested.

 

Be sure to browse the retail area during your visit as well. The shop features jewelry, rocks, minerals, gifts, and other treasures for visitors who want to add something special to their collection.

 

Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine welcomes families as well as buses and groups, with special group rates available. The attraction operates seasonally, generally from March through November, so guests should check current hours when planning their visit.

 

Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine is located at 971 Tsali Boulevard in Cherokee, North Carolina. Whether you’re searching for your first gemstone, adding to a rock collection, or hoping to turn a special find into a piece of jewelry, it offers a hands-on way to add a little treasure hunting to your Smoky Mountain adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The mine is open seasonally from March through November, operating daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (hours may extend slightly during peak summer periods).
Aabsolutely buckets can be shared.
Once you strike it lucky, have your gemstones identified for free by expert professionals. Want to turn your discovery into a timeless keepsake? Take advantage of same-day cutting, polishing, and jewelry setting services, creating a one-of-a-kind souvenir or gift.
Yes, all necessary equipment—including screen boxes, water sluice troughs, buckets, and seating—is provided free of charge. Miners can uncover a variety of rough stones, including rubies, sapphires, emeralds, amethysts, garnets, topaz, and other native and exotic minerals.
Prices vary depending on the size and type of bucket or bag you select. Options typically range from small dirt bags for kids to larger, gem-rich specialty buckets.

Coupon

Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine logo
Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine
Downtown Cherokee Hwy 441N Cherokee, NC 28719 828-497-6574

$2 Off a Bag of Ore

Not valid with other promotions. Some restrictions may apply.

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Location

Downtown Cherokee Hwy 441N Cherokee, NC 28719

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