Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro, Arkansas Open year-round, the mine boasts gorgeous scenery, too. (The town of Hiddenite was named in 1913 after the gemstone hiddenite, a rare variety of spodumene discovered in the area). Licensed under CC By 2.0.Īlthough known mostly for its emeralds, the 70-acre site can also yield sapphire, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, and aquamarine. You can check out findings from the mine at sluiceways or do your own prospecting, digging, and hunting for a small fee. The Emerald Hollow Mine is home to the only emerald mine in the United States open for public treasure hunting. Emerald Hollow Mine, Hiddenite, North Carolinaįind glittering, gorgeous emeralds in Hiddenite, only about an hour's drive from Winston-Salem, NC. Before You Go Gem Huntingīefore traveling to any of these sites, please confirm their dates and times of operation as well as their rules and guidelines by visiting their websites or calling ahead. A gem hunting trip is a great way for beginners to learn about gemology, especially kids. You could find gemstones worth thousands of dollars where you never imagined treasure lies.

Grab your gear and head to one of these prominent US destinations. Most of these sites aren't on the same scale economically as mines in other countries, but they make exciting gemology-themed vacation destinations for the lone prospector and the whole family alike. However, you can find these stones and many others at plenty of gem hunting spots in the United States.

When you think of mining for the 'big four' gemstones - diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald - it's easy to imagine places like India, South Africa, and Colombia.

Jade ruby sapphire