Little Switzerland
Gems Galore NW of Lake James Real Estate
By Harris Realty

Any American geologist would jump at the chance to come investigate the wealth hidden deep within the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially on McDowell County land as well as in the hills to the north in Yancey County and in Mitchell County near Mt. Mount Mitchell State Park.   On the north slope of Mt. Mitchell, they can expect to find cyanite on Crabtree Creek (about two miles northwest of the junction of Yancey, Mitchell, and McDowell Counties) and a tremendous stash of mica.  It is true that every year, thousands of rock hounds, tourists, and students flock to western North Carolina to search for the rare gemstones and other valuable minerals that are abundant in these hills. 

On the way to a ski home in Little Switzerland real estate, they might first stop at the Museum of North Carolina Minerals to admire the fascinating displays of “captured” rocks.  For the tourist among us, campgrounds and recreational mines make it a little easier to get in some mining experience.  Near Little Switzerland real estate—less than 20 miles north of Marion NC and Lake James real estate— the Blue Ridge Gemstone Mine and Campground regularly brings in rich “dirt”.  It is near Buckner Dam and McCall Gap, and the North Fork of the Catawba River midst McDowell County land where it is not uncommon to see displays of immense quartz crystal in the residential “rock” gardens. 

The Emerald Hollow Mine is the only emerald mine in the United States open to the public for prospecting.  It is nestled snugly into the foothills of the beautiful Brushy Mountains in the town of Hiddenite, one of the most unique and interesting geological locations in North America.  More than 63 different types of naturally occurring gems and minerals have been identified here, including the very rare gemstone “Hiddenite” are stashed underground as well as emerald, aquamarine, sapphire, garnet, topaz, amethyst, citrine, rutile, tourmaline and world-class smoky and clear quartz crystals.

The railroad, combined with a rapidly expanding mining industry made Spruce Pine the largest town in the Toe River Valley as it became the hub of commerce and culture for the area.  The Feldspar Company and Spruce Pine Mica and other major mining interests had operations in and around the town.  On Highway 226 in Spruce Pine is the Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine with a “You Find ‘Em…You Keep ‘Em” motto.   All of the action takes place in a covered flume where a scoop of rough material can be washed, revealing colors and crystal shapes.  Crabtree emerald, Wiseman and Brushy Creek aquamarine, moonstones, garnet, citrine, amethyst, ruby, sapphire and many other exciting finds have been identified here.  Gem Mountain furnishes all the necessary equipment and will inspect any loot free of charge and offers expert gem cutters who will cut and set the big ones into keepsake jewelry. 

Also near Spruce Pine are the old Dake Mines on the south bank of the North Toe River where garnets, uraninite, autunite and other minerals can be found.  On up the river, are the sites of the once-extensive operation of the Bailey Mines and the Flat Rock Mine.  The Wiseman Mines on the west side of Beaver Creek have given up fergusonite, oligoclase, feldspar, along with the mica and large rare-metal minerals such as samarskite.  Stories are told of the old Grassy Creek Aquamarine Mine 5 miles southeast of Spruce Pine and the emerald-matrix mines 7 miles–offering hope that someday more treasure chests will be discovered in the heart of these mountains.

Back when there were many genuine mines, the potential for finding valuable minerals and even gemstones was a reality. Although these deposits required actual digging, possibilities were endless.  It was also fairly easy to collect in working quarries back then when liability was not an issue, as people were responsible for their own actions and lawsuits were much less frequent.

Although the "glory days" are gone, local clubs and individuals are still finding new locations for great finds.  The hobby of rock hounding will continue to flourish in the region—for the serious prospector, the amateur, and the child dreaming of finding hidden treasure.