You Can Go "Creeking" For Colorful Crystals In North Carolina For Only $12
You've likely heard of the alleged healing powers of crystals, but if you're on the lookout for a specific stone, you might come across some flukes that are completely overpriced. Whether you're attempting to realign your chakras or just rock a pretty gem on your finger, this gem mine in North Carolina lets you discover authentic gems for one super low price.
Open year-round, Emerald Hollow Mine is a guaranteed means of finding one-of-a-kind gems and minerals. With over 60 kinds of naturally occurring stones, it's the only public emerald mine in the world. If you've been dreaming of uncovering an emerald, this is the one and only place for you.
You've got a variety of options to find the stone of your dreams, one of the most popular being "creeking." You can fully immerse yourself in the creek waters for $12, using a sifting screen for an additional $3 charge. The sparkling mountain waters bring down deposits of crystals, especially after a hard rainstorm.
If you're not down to get wet, you can opt to sift through dirt from a designated bucket, whether it be an "enriched" or "native" bucket. These buckets range in price, so you can take your chance on one that's $15 or even a $1000 one that's guaranteed to have some serious marvels of nature.
For those looking to really get down and dirty for the gems, you can dig through some Southern red clay with a shovel. If you want to put in the hard work that "digging" requires, you have to purchase the $30 combo that includes "creeking, sluicing, and digging."
After you found a crystal that catches your eye, you can have it cut and polished so it can transform into wearable jewelry. Future engagement ring, anyone?
If you're ready to uncover more of what lies under the Earth's surface, you can road trip to this mine in North Georgia and one a little further south in LaGrange, Georgia.
Emerald Hollow Mine
Price: $12+
Address: 484 Emerald Hollow Mine Dr., Hiddenite, NC
Why You Need To Go: You're guaranteed to find the real deal when it comes to gorgeous gems and minerals.
