Gem mining still a big draw in Macon

Reporter

When it comes to having a good time in Macon County, there are many outdoor activities to take part in. Some may be interested in hiking along the county's finest trails, mountain biking or enjoying an afternoon picnic, but one of the most interesting activities that many families can enjoy together is gem mining. Macon County is known as the Gem Capital of the World, and several gem mines in the county welcome the public.

If you are new to gem mining, your first stop should be the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. There you will find brochures on each of the local gem mines. You will also find information about the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum, which is where you can learn about the gems and minerals that are native to Macon County. The last thing you should pick up before you leave the Chamber of Commerce is a map of Macon County so you can see exactly where each gem mine is located.

Looking to learn a little bit more about gem mining and the different gems you may find? Then your next stop should be The Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum.

The museum is located in the old Macon County Jail building, and the windows still have the bars on them.

Ted Robles, president of The Gem and Mineral Society of Franklin, said the museum started in 1974. The old jail house was left with the doors wide open and nothing in it, so they decided to turn it into a museum.

"They were going to turn it into a parking lot" said Robles.

The Macon County Board of Commissioners granted The Gem and Mineral Society of Franklin permission to use the abandoned jail. After a year of hard work the Museum finally opened its doors to the public on May 25, 1974.

The Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum is made up of many small rooms that are filled with gems, minerals, and fossils, from all around the world. Downstairs you will find the North Carolina room, which has gems and minerals that are native to North Carolina. There you will find gems such as amethyst, garnets and the 48-pound ruby that was mined at Corundum Hill in Macon County in 1884. Downstairs is the Indian Room where you can learn about the Native American artifacts that are found throughout the area.

In the States Room you will find gems and minerals from all over the country.

The Fluorescent Room uses fluorescent light to reveal the rainbow of colors nature has hidden in different minerals.

Press photos/Jennifer Bowen. Miners Valerie and Steve wash the soil away hoping to find a precious stone.

Before you leave the museum be sure to visit upstairs where you will find "The slammer," which is the old jail cell and additional displays in the International Room, the World Room, and the Fossils Room, where fossils from all around the world are on display, including a dinosaur egg.

One thing that anyone interested in gem mining should know is the difference between salted mines, and enriched mines. Robles said that salted mines have stones that are native to Macon County but brought in to the mine. Enriched mines have stones that are not native to Macon County and are brought in from all over the world. Some gems and minerals that are native to Macon County are rubies, sapphires, garnets, sillimanite, and kyanite.

Robles said that if you find an emerald at a gem mine in Macon County, the mine may be an enriched mine because emeralds are not native to this area.

You may be asking yourself, what are some of the best places to mine in Macon County?

"My favorite mines are the Sheffield Mine or the Cherokee Mine" said Robles. Those two and the Mason Mine are native mines. The Sheffield Mine is famous for its appearance on The Travel Channel. Mason's Ruby and Sapphire Mine is Macon County's only "dig your own", where one fee covers the entire day of digging.

After you have learned a little bit more about gems and minerals, your next stop should be one of the gem mines in the area.

If you are looking for a good place to get your hands dirty and also enjoy the surrounding scenery, you may want to make a stop at Jackson Hole Gem Mine and Gift Shop, which is located between Franklin and Highlands.

Here you can enjoy the waterfalls, the unique scenery, a gift shop, and some old-fashioned gem mining.

Jackson Hole was founded in 1952, and has been everything from a Cuban restaurant, to apartments, to an antique store.

"Everyone used to call it old man Jackson's hole" said Holly Owen, jeweler for Jackson Hole. "They forgot the S on the sign so it became Jackson Hole instead."

In the 1980s the Crowleys bought the building and opened it up as a gem mine. In 1997 Jane and Chuck Green bought the gem mine, and own it to this day. Chuck Green has been a gem cutter for nearly 20 years.

Jackson Hole gets a lot of travelers enjoying the ride from Franklin to Highlands. Owen said that most of their customers are tourists visiting the area from out of town.

Jackson Hole is the only gem mine that is open all year round, no matter what the weather is like. "Our busiest time of the year is when school lets out" said Owen.

Jackson Hole does all of their own custom jewelry, and free identifying for any of the gems that you may find while mining.

Now it's time to try your hand at the mines. Just remember there are two rules to gem mining that everyone must follow: Make sure to wear old clothes, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy yourselves.

Jennifer is a summer intern at The Franklin Press.