Welcome to Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine

Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine

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

Family Motorcycle Rally

"Rags to Riches"

Oct. 10, 11

Now open 7 days a week all year!

8 AM- 5 PM

(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

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

Sorry no checks or credit cards accepted, cash only.

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

On June 16, 2008, Katlin, a girl of 13 years, found a 59 carat sapphire in her screen.

A 47.5 carat sapphire has been found along with a few 40+ and several 30+ carats since April 29, 2008, and many leaving with over 100+ in one day of mining.

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.