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Hunting for treasure isn't relegated to faraway lands and panning for gold isn't just for the miners in the historic gold rush during the Wild West. There are dozens of places around America where you can pan for gold or search for precious gemstones, crystals and other stunning souvenirs. In fact, you don't even have to leave North Carolina to try your hand at treasure hunting.
Cheapism compiled a list of the 20 "best treasure-hunting spots" across the U.S., places that give visitors the chance to search for treasure and sometimes even keep what they uncover. While many of the destinations on the list feature parks and mines in places like California and the Southwest, four spots around North Carolina also made the cut: Emerald Hollow Mine, Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine, Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine and Rose Creek Gem Mine.
Here's what the site had to say about these treasure-filled gems:
Emerald Hollow Mine
"The mine has everything from amethysts to aquamarines, but you're most likely to find its namesake emeralds. The best part is that this mine allows you to make appointments at its lapidary to have your treasures cut, polished, and even turned into jewelry."
Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine
"This family-friendly location in the Blue Ridge Mountains is an excellent option if you're looking to get the whole family involved in treasure hunting. Guests can head to the flume mine to screen buckets of dirt or embark on guided tours of the Gem Mountain's private mines. Gemstone Mine also offers serves to cut, polish, and transform your finds into jewelry as requested."
Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
"The Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine in North Carolina is a great spot for beginner prospectors. Instead of sending you out on your own, this mine walks visitors through how to identify 'in the rough' gemstones before setting out to sift through their bucket of 'gem ore' for rubies, sapphires, and more."
Rose Creek Gem Mine
"Rose Creek Gem Mine in North Carolina is an awesome spot for beginners; the staff walk newbie miners through the entire process, from digging up dirt in the mining tunnel to sifting for treasure in the covered flume. This mine has been operating since 1952 and is known for its rhodolite garnet, quartz crystals, kyanite, and more."
Check out the full list of America's best treasure-hunting spots at cheapism.com.