Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine

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

 

 

Gift certificates are available for mining. Send a postal money order to us for $30.00 for the adult miner over 12 years of age, and $15.00 for the child fees for those 6-11 years of age. Make sure to list a return address so that we can get your M.O. payment fulfilled. Send to: Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine, 6961 Upper Burningtown Rd., Franklin, N.C. 28734. Make it paid to P. Ukele c/o Mason's.

On April 24, 2010, Megan Russell found a diamond ring in her washing screen. The ring was in a ziplock bag and placed in the bucket of dirt by Nelson Simmons. A unique method of asking her hand for marriage. Both are from Augusta, Ga. and they have our congratulations for a fruitful engagement and wedding.

Earn income at home, ask me how. Click here.

Link: Miners Comments Jan-June 2009

Miners Comments July-December 2009

Miners Comments Jan-June 2010

Location Grounds

Mike Taylor from Indiana found the largest sapphire so far under the new management of 3/28/2010. This whopper weighed in at 129.5 carats. Way to go Mike.

 

GEMSTONES FOUND OVER 30 CARATS

This year, 2010, the mine experienced a couple of miners which were in the adverse mode upon arrival. The names I do not have, so if the miners could be so kind to give us the date and your names, it would be apprecitated. Now to release the story I will have to be overwhelmed in my report that our gentleman was a blind man and with the assistance of the registration desk and personnel, he was able to find 7 sapphires by himself in the mining screen. He was able to, by touch in the pavillion recognize the hexagonal shape of the sapphire, and then with assistance at the flumes was able to capture his own sapphires. I believe this to be a true achievement, because even with my 4 eyes, I can miss a few. Congratulations on your mining adventure.

Dennis U.

 

 

Now open 7 days a week all year!

8 AM- 5 PM

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

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

Group rates of 10+ deduct $5.00 per person from the normal mining fee.

Sorry no checks or credit cards accepted, cash only. No refunds.

The Nippers were here earlier this year and gave us their blog so you can see what they experienced on their day of family mining. Link: http://post-itplace.blogspot.com/2008/07/where-have-i-been-today-and-contest.html

Another group at the mine on Sunday July 6, 2008 took some photos of the mine and "U-tubed" them for you to look at.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIrjNqJiCtI



One of the last Macon County's mines where you still dig your own dirt, which can contain different color sapphires or rubies. Four 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. 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

Currently, all 4 flumes are able to handle miners washing their gravels of which two are covered with clear UV resistant plastic roofing, which comes in handy on the rainy days which occur.

Sorry, No credit cards or checks are accepted.No refunds.

When I first saw these pictures, I asked myself "What happened?" Well, now for the rest of the story. It seems that some excavating needed to be done in the minining area and in a split moment of time, the soggy piedmont soil could no longer hold the weight of the trackhoe, thus yielding the left side picture. A halt of the work until the next day with fuel added and a new vision on the horizon, the trackhoe dug itself out of a deep mess of mud. Able to sheepishly meander across the road and get a good hose bath. ( no bubbles) This reminded me of the story of life as I have seen and been.

No matter how bad it seems, the human spirit will find a way to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With retrospect to the event, I dub the "Mud Mosquito" Dennis U.

Pete Civitello, owner

Patsy Ukele, associate

Norman Holloway, associate

Judie Johnson, registration/concessions

Charlie, operator

Brandon, operator

 

 

 

And of course the Pavillion has the attack cat "Levy". He sometimes

forgets to wear his name badge.

And as advertised, the handicapped miner can also enjoy the experience.

 

Dennis Ukele, maintenance & webmaster

 

 

 

LOCATION GROUNDS

COMMENTSJAN-JUNE2009

COMMENTS JAN-JUNE 2008

COMMENTS JUL-DEC 2008

2007 ARCHIVE CONTACT US

Leave us e-mail at: dennisu357@peoplepc.com
Comments or pictures taken will be welcome and your comments and or pictures may show up on the Miners Comments page.

Order your Herbalife products here!