Enriched mines harbor stones not native to the region. Salted mines have native stones brought in from all over the area. It helps to know the difference between the three major types of mines. Salted, Enriched, and Native Minesįor the beginner, gem mining looks difficult but is really a simple process according to Mountain Traveler (Franklin Press) Gas or water can be carried in gem cavities.Ĭrystal means the crystallized structure of the stone. Quartz, a favorite among gem hunters, is a smoky clear color.Ĭlarity has to do with the amount of foreign substance in any stone.
Rubies are silky red garnets reddish-brown and note that sapphires come in every hue. When looking for keeper gems, color is king. Whether expert or novice, every gem miner should begin with the “Three C’s,” color, clarity, and crystal. The Three “C’s” Every Gem Miner Must Know While the source of rubies was never located, the companies left behind golden opportunities for rock hounds to hunt to their heart’s content. Ruby Mining Company spent decades looking for rubies in the corundum mine. Two major companies, American Prospecting & Mining Company, and the U.S. As early as the 1870s, minerals including corundum, mica, and kaolin were being mined commercially and shipped from Macon County, NC. Once home to the Cherokee Indian Nation, Franklin and the valley which surrounds it was a native land referred to as “Nikwasi,” or “Star.” It was also a site rich in natural resources and thus open to commercialization. The Three “C’s” Every Gem Miner Must Know.Gem Mining Has Unique History in Franklin & Macon County.
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