NORTH CAROLINA EMERALDS
 

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Crabtree Emerald Mine
Mitchell County,
North Carolina

 

Crabtree Emerald Mine History
aka Big Crabtree Emerald Mine
Photos by Ed Speer, unless indicated otherwise

1890 first Emeralds found by local farmer

1894 First mining

1895-1908 Mined by Tiffany's

1896 Good Emeralds found

1905-1908 Mined by American Gem and Pearl Co; crystals up to 1" long by 1" diameter w/ excellent green color found

1908-c1939 Mined by Edward Fortner & J.P. Grindstaff

1942 Mine reopened

1957 Mined by Little Switzerland Emerald Mines Inc

1977 1,676 ct Emerald found--undocumented

1985 83.11 ct Emerald found; previous largest crystal was 70 cts


Kunz, 1907
Crabtree Emerald Mine
 

Rick Jacquot collection


Marion Pierce collection

 

Rick Jacquot collection

Rick Jacquot collection
 

Rick Jacquot collection

North America's Largest Faceted Emerald?
This 30.8 ct gem was reportedly cut from a 67 ct emerald crystal which was part of a 666 ct cluster of emerald crystals found in 1991 in Mitchell Co., NC (but not from the Crabtree Mine). It is included here because of it's Mitchell Co location and its apparent similarity to Crabtree Mine emeralds. The authenticity of this gem remains uncertain pending additional information. Owner wishes to remain anonymous.
Interested buyers: carolinasgreen@gmail.com
 

Charles Whaley photo 2010

Charles Whaley collection
Collected in 1960s Largest crystal ~5 mm
 
Arrange your own mineral collecting trip!

http://www.wncrocks.com/resources/Collecting%20site%20crabtreemine1.htm
 
This web site is constantly under construction
If you have any corrections or additions, please contact
Ed Speer at ed@speerhammocks.com
 

Please note that all of the emerald mine properties in North Carolina are privately owned and potential visitors should arrange permission before arriving on the property. The NAEM mine at Hiddenite is NOT open to the public. Only two mines are open to the public for mineral collecting:
1) The Crabtree Emerald Mine near Little Switzerland, NC http://www.wncrocks.com/resources/Collecting%20site%20crabtreemine1.htm
2) The
Emerald Hollow Mine at Hiddenite, NC http://www.hiddenitegems.com/

For information on other mineral collecting sites in North Carolina, see: http://www.wncrocks.com/ and http://www.mcrocks.com