Mining for gems in western North Carolina

In the hills and valleys of western North Carolina, there are plenty of hidden gems. Not just fun or little know spots, but literally gems hidden in the rocks and soil.

The area around Spruce Pine is rich in mining history. It's one of the reasons Laura Meier brings her family here every summer.

“You never know,” Meier says as she mines for minerals at one of the local tourist sites, “Today could be out lucky day, we could get something really good here!”

The Meier family is spending a rainy day looking for gem stones at the mouth of the Big Deal mine, part of the Emerald Village in Mitchell County.

“What better way to have a relaxing vacation?” Meier asks.

Down the road, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals sits just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bill Jones took a moment from his motorcycle ride to stop and see the some of the 300 different gems and minerals found in the Tar Heel State.

Jones says most people don't look beyond the breathtaking mountains.

“Once you start investigating a little further, you see there are really interesting gem stones in the area," he said.

Those “really interesting gem stones” Jones talks about come from really interesting holes in the ground. The Bon Ami mine at Emerald Village allows visitors to explore a once working feldspar operation.

Erin Osbeck is visiting the Bon Ami mine with her family and friends all the way from Kansas. She believes its a good way to extend her children's education.

“Get to explore and discover things for themselves, have fun while doing it," she said.

Back at the Big Deal mine, Laura Meier is not only finding precious stones, she's finding something even more valuable, “We are definitely seeing a return to family time, and what a better area of the country to do it.”