Rock,
Gem, and Mineral Collecting Sites
in Western North Carolina
NOTE: This book is outdated and no longer for sale.
For more information on what sites are closed, or updated site status visit this link
By Richard
James Jacquot Jr.
Host
of the "Mineral Minute" on "Nature News" radio
(WISE 1310 AM, and WTZQ 1600 AM)
Professional Miner, Photographer, and
lifelong gem and mineral collector.
Rick
has had numerous articles published on mining and mineral collecting in Rock & Gem magazine and many local mineral club publications.
He has also appeared on North Carolina television discussing mines and
minerals in Western North Carolina.
His
most recent
review was published in Our State magazine, which features the
best resources for North Carolina. The article's author had this to say: A
Jewel of a Book! Perhaps the most valuable resource in rockhounding is found in Richard
James Jacquot Jr.'s book, Rock, Gem and Mineral Collecting
Sites in Western North Carolina. An experienced, well-traveled
rock hound from Leicester, Jacquot thoroughly covers 55 of the best
collecting sites in the region and gives detailed information about
what to look for and what restrictions or fees apply, with excellent
maps and directions. The book is an indispensable reference sure to
help any rock hound uncover hidden treasure.
*************************
Packed
with over 100 specimen and site photos to help identify minerals in the
field. With a lifetime of field experience (15 years in Western North
Carolina), I have included all of the "honey holes" that produce
the best material and have been kept secret by local rockhounds here in
the Western North Carolina Mountains for years. With so many sites being
closed to collecting, I have listed the best quality sites that are still
accessible to serious rockhounds. This book covers twice the sites and
contains twice the information of any other guidebook available and it
will lead you to find valuable gems and minerals and educate you on how
to identify them. Whether you are new to rockhounding or an experienced
collector, this book is for you and your whole family.
I
have listed as much about ownership information as possible for private
property, even to giving owners phone numbers when permitted. I also spent
years researching the sites and creating precise site maps.
If
you have any questions about my book, gems & minerals, or collecting
sites, feel free to contact me at any time, either through email: rick@wncrocks.com
or phone at 828.683.1048.
Featured on News 13 WLOS-TV as "the most complete rockhound guidebook
for the Western North Carolina area" Written by a professional,experienced
miner/prospector. This book is not full of repeated, outdated information
from old geological surveys and reports, many of which are no longer accurate
and have been available to the public for decades. Published in 2003 by
Land of Sky Books, the largest and highest quality locally owned book
publisher in Western North Carolina. This book contains directions and
maps to 55 collecting locations covering 21 counties in the Western North
Carolina area. The maps and directions are user-friendly, you won't need
a masters degree to read the maps or find the locations. With GPS coordinates
to sites including: the Walker Creek Kyanite site that produces some of
the best facet-grade gem-blue kyanite crystals in North America (some
are over a foot long and over an inch thick) several locations at Lake
Chatuge that have been kept secret for decades, locations to find giant
garnet crystals as big as grapefruits, visit Chalk Mountain to collect
specimens and view the most fluorescent hyalite opal in the world and
much more.
Also listed are points of interest such as museums, rock shops, etc. with
each site description. This guide covers safety in the field, old mines,
children's safety, which sites require permission to collect, a history
of North Carolina mining and a brief history of each collecting location
with the site description. A list of all tools and equipment you will
need to make your rockhunting adventures a success as well as individual
tool and equipment lists by site. This book is an excellent tool to educate
people about the rocks, gems and minerals to be found in our great state.
Forward
Introduction
Safety
Tool and equipment list
Rules for rockhounding on National Forest land in NC
List of minerals found in this book
Site map and map legend
(link to photos of locations & specimens)
SITE
1: LITTLE PINE
GARNET MINE - MINE UPDATE
SITE 2: NEWBRIDGE RHODOLITE GARNET- Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 3: GOLDSMITH
MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 4: WALKER
CREEK KYANITE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 5-A: RAY MICA
MINE - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
SITE 5-B: LITTLE
RAY MINE - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
SITE 6: SINKHOLE
MINE
SITE 7-A: ABERNATHY MINE
SITE 7-B: MITCHELL COUNTY MARBLE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 8: CRABTREE
EMERALD MINE - MINE UPDATE
SITE 9: CHALK
MOUNTAIN - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 10: PINEY
FLATS MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 11: HENSON
CREEK AQUAMARINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 12: WOODS
CREEK SAPPHIRE MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 13: OLD
PRESSLEY SAPPHIRE MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 14: REDMOND
MINE
FRANKLIN AREA MINES
SITE 15: MASON'S RUBY AND SAPPHIRE MINE
SITE 16: CHEROKEE RUBY MINE
SITE 17: MASON MOUNTAIN MINE
SITE 18: CORUNDUM
HILL MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 19: BUCK
CREEK GARNET - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
SITE 20: BUCK
CREEK RUBY MINE - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
SITE 21: HERBERT
CORUNDUM MINE - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
SITE 22: CHUNKY
GAL MINE - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
SITE 23: CAT EYE CUT - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
SITE 24: ROCKING
CHAIR RUTILE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
INTRODUCTION TO LAKE CHATUGE
SITE 25: PENLAND
POINT CORUNDUM - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 26: ELF SCHOOL
CORUNDUM - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service/TVA.
SITE 27: JACKRABBIT
RUBY - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service/TVA.
SITE 28: JACKRABBIT
LIMONITE - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
SITE 29: JACKRABBIT
QUARTZ - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
SITE 30: LOWER
BELL CHALCEDONY - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service/TVA.
SITE 31: LOWER
BELL CORUNDUM - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service/TVA.
SITE 32: EPWORTH GARNET - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 33: HACKNEY FARM STAUROLITE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 34: COLES
CROSSING STAUROLITE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 35: COPPER
BASIN - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 36: ALLMON
CREEK STAUROLITE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 37: VENGENCE CREEK STAUROLITE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 38: NANTAHALA
TALC AND LIMESTONE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 39: GRIMSHAWE
MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 40: SHEEPCLIFF
AQUAMARINE MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 41: BLACK
MTN KYANITE AND SAPPHIRE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 42: RIDGECREST
KYANITE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 43: WOODLAWN
QUARRY - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 44: EMERALD HOLLOW MINE - Site is now under new management and is producing some great material. To find the good stuff, contact Daniel Coleman; 704-775-1581
SITE 45: POOVEY GARNET
MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 46: RAT TAIL CORUNDUM - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 47: LINCOLN
COUNTY SMOKY QUARTZ - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 48: PROPST
CORUNDUM MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 49: YATES
BROOKS FARM - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 50: PORTER
LIMONITE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 51: CARTER
CORUNDUM MINE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 52: ERWIN
CALCITE - Closed, Trespassers will be prosecuted.
SITE 53: BALSAM
MICA MINE - Surface collecting only, per NC Forest Service.
Facts about North Carolina Rocks, Gems and Minerals
About the Author
Field
Notes
The
superior rockhound guide for this area! All specimens are from the author's
private collection unless otherwise noted. Photos are taken by the author,
who has seven years of professional photography experience and training.
196 pages, soft cover or hardcover.
Note: My book was published in January, 2003. Since that time, some of the sites have
been posted off limits to collecting. Always ask permission before entering
private property to collect. Collecting status changes on US Forest
Service sites and private property is bought and sold. Respect the wishes
of the current property owner. If a site is posted "No Trespassing",
do not enter that site. Always check with the local ranger station for
current rules and regulations before collecting at any site in the national
forest.
After eight years in publication, my book has become outdated. Many of the sites have closed or are no longer productive. I feel it is unfair to rockhounds everywhere to continue to sell a book containing outdated information. As of January 2010, this book is no longer available for purchase. This is the only site that is legally allowed to sell this publication and it has been discontinued. If you purchase it anywhere else, it is being purchased illegally.
We now publish the "American Rockhound" magazine, started in 2014. Go to this link to check it out: American Rockhound Magazine
