Welcome to Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine

Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine

6961 Upper Burningtown Road.
Franklin, North Carolina 28734
828-369-9742

Now open 7 days a week all year!

(weather permitting, icy or snowy roads may be hazardous)

Mining fees April 1, 2008. Children under 6 free, 6-11 $15.00, 12-adult $30.00

We now have a heated pavilion so our miners have a place to warm up while it is cold outside. Not fancy, but modest!

One of the last Macon County's mines where you still dig your own dirt, which can contain different color sapphires or rubies. Three flumes with ample running water coming from the Burningtown Creek (stocked trout stream) are available to wash your dirt to expose the gravels containing the gemstones. The stream water can be very chilly, so you may want some latex lined gloves while you are washing your gravel. Glass beverage containers shall not be permitted, but metal or plastic are allowed. Over the years, many stones have come out of this mine which was leased to mining companies in the latter part of the last century searching for abrasive material, corundum, and has been in the Mason's family since then. Currently managed by Pete Civitello, Patsy Ukele, and Norman Holloway. On July 20, 2007, a 40 carat pink sapphire was found by a lucky miner, a nice find, and on July 22 there were a 24 and a 21.5 carat gemstones found. Several miners went away with over 100 carats of sapphires and rubies that same day. You will be provided all the tools needed with your paid mining fees. Special rates for groups of 10 or more

Snacks, drinks, well maintained porta-johns, picnic tables, and primitive camping all available. The snacks and drinks are moderately priced, and camping also is quite reasonable.

Information audio files

If primitive camping is too rugged for you and you would like something a little more like home close to our mine, Carolina Mountain Top Homes off of Ray Creek Road, the road before the last bridge, has cabin rentals available. Click the links for more information. cmthomes@yahoo.com www.cmthomes.com

The 2007 Notable find list (10 carat or larger)

July 20 Mark Holloway 40 ct.

July 12 Tim Wilson 16 ct.

July 15 Tom Hopkins 13.5 ct.

July 16 Mark Holloway 18.5 ct.

July 19 Justin Camp (6 yr. old) 9 ct.

July 19 Kay Bonds 11.5 ct.

July 20 Ed Deremo 17 ct.

July 21 Constetine Wernu (Germany) 10 ct.

July 22 Wesley Baird 24 ct.

July 22 Peggy Mason 21.5 ct.

July 26 Davey Carpenter 33 ct.

August 7 James Louis 13.5 ct.

August 12 Connie Hammond 22 ct.

September 14 Jim Snyder 23.5 ct.

September 20 Ward Kortz 16.5 ct. (See 2007 archives link for the actual ring made from this stone.)

September 30 Jessica Guthrie 17.5 ct.

October 6 Jim Snyder 23.5 ct.

October 20 Cathy Kamoss 27 ct.

October 27 Susan Prutt 37 ct.

October 27 Jerry Miller 19.5 ct.

November 14 Bert Hathaway 22 ct.

November 17 Trace Nelson 27 ct.

November 18 Tom Randle 12 ct.

November 19 Ashley Byouk 10 ct.

November 23 Dennis Ukele 10 ct.

November 24 Nicholas Holmes 33.5 ct.

December 27 Pam Sacce 17 ct.

December 28 Cassi Howell 12 ct.

December 31 Sarah Knight 14 ct.

December 31 Bodi Terry 15.5 ct.

A successful half year of mining under the new management. Pleased that so many found some treasures and are planning to come back in the New Year. There will be some changes in pricing however, but the same service to the customer will not deteriorate; that must remain a top priority.