RockHounds, Hope You Like This.This was a Fun Project

I live just outside of Columbia, S.C. and I was interested in rock digging sites within 150 mile distance from home base, traveling north to northeast. I ended up with this map that I made. Here is a numbered list (corresponding with dot numbers on map) of  123 locations and what is to be found at each dig site. To make the dots numbers easier to read I broke up the map into 6 sections (at end of list). There is a certain amount of overlap but I made sure nothing was left out.

At the end of each location there will be one or more numbers, these relate to where you find your treasures; in gravel deposits, streambeds, mine dumps, etc. This list will be called Mineral Location Number List and will follow the location List.

As time allows I will research links to add to the individual sites when available. Now this map was made several years ago, but I believe it still has value. Also, I am working on pictures of each item found in these locations. Photos will be in a different post, but on same page.

This list originated from publications I got from the local Library, at the time I did not write down name of source and don't remember. Sorry :) 

1-  Swain County:  Bryson city area:1.5 miles north of Deep Creek Campground. Contains Kyanite, Staurolite. 27

2-  Haywood County: Canton area: On main Street go across I-40 and then turn left at the first road past the church; take this to the first gravel road on left. Fee for collecting payable at second house on the left; continue to the end of the next road on left to the Corundum Mine. Contains Corundum. 2

3-  Hazelwood Area:  7 miles south-southwest to the Sunburst U.S. Forestry Station; Get permit here and key to gate; go through gate and follow the road for ten miles; on slopes of Shining Rock. Contains Rose Quartz. 1-7-13-20-21

4-  Haywood County: Waynesville area; east on SR-276 to the Bethal School; turn right on Blacktop Rd. to Shovel Creek community; in diggings & creekbed. Contains Sapphire; gray; gem quality. 1-7-13-20-21

5-  Haywood County; Waynesville area; southeast on SR-276 to bethal; at the New Sapphire Mine (collecting fee) Contains Sapphire. 2

6-  Buncombe County: Alexander area; 1.5 miles southeast of Balsam Gap. Conatains Kyanite. 1 - 13

7-  Buncombe County: Alexander area; at Balsam Gap; on Lookout Mountain. Contains Beryl:fine gem quality. 2

8-  Buncombe County:  Alexander area; at Balsam Gap; at and near the Balsam Gap Mine. Conatains Kyanite. 1-2-13-14-29

9-  Buncombe County: Black Mountain area; 1.5 miles southeast; in an unnamed prospect. Contains Beryl: fine gem quality. 21

10-  Buncombe County: Jupiter area; 4 miles east on SR- 197 to gravel road on left; Follow gravel road 0.25 mile north; at the Goldsmith Mine. Contains Moonstone. 2

11-  Buncombe County: Weaverville area; 1.7 miles north to first road on right past Pleasant Gap Church; 0.5 mile east to mine on creek. Contains Serpentine. 2

12-  Macon  County: Burningtown area; on trail from there to the Roy Mason Mine (collecting fee) Contains Ruby, Sapphire. 2

13-  Macon County: Cullusaja area; 1.4 miles east; 0.5 mile north on SR-64; just west of Crows Branch, which enters into the Cullusaja Rivers on south slope of Higdon mountain.; on Corundum Hill; at the abandoned Cullusaja Mine. Contains Corundum: fine gem quality; one course crystal mass weighed over 300 Lb. also contains Ruby, Sapphire: blue. green, yellow; one fine blue was 4"x2.5". 2

14-  Macon County: Ellijay area: 2.4 miles east; on Sheep Knob Mountain. Contains Aquamarine. 1-13-29

15-  Macon County: Ellijay area; slightly east, then right to the Mincey Mine. Contains Corundum: bronze luster; asterism. Ruby: fine gem quality; chatoyant. 2

16-  Macon County: Franklin area; 2 miles north on SR- 28; then east of road at the McCook Mine. Contains Garnet, rhodoline. 2

17-  Macon County: Franklin area; west of SR-28 on Rose Creek road; at the Four K's Mine. Contains Garnet, asterism. 2

18-  Macon County-  Franklin area: west of SR-28 on Rose Creek road; just past the Four K's Mine; at the Houston Mine. Contains Sapphires. 2

19-  Macon County: Highlands area; 3 miles east of SR-64; take trail up Whiteside Mountain. Contains Garnet, almandine. 1-13-29

20-  Macon County: Iotla area; 2.8 miles northwest; on southwest slope of Lyle Knob; at the Lyle Knob Mine. Contains Biolite, Feldspar, Garnet. 2-16

21-  Macon County: Iotla area: 1 mile north on SR-28 to Mason Branch Mine sign; follow sign directions 0.25 mile to the Mason Branch Mine. Contains Garnet rhodolline, Sapphire. 2

22-  Macon County:  Iotla area; 1 mile north on SR-28; turn right to head of valley; on Mason Mountain. Contains Garnet rhodoline. Sapphire. 2

23-  Macon County: Iotla area; in Mason Branch from south slope of Mason Mountain down stream to it's mouth at the Little Tennessee River. Contains Moonstone. 1-13-24-29

24-  Macon County: Otto area; 4.5 mmiles east; neear headwaters of Tessentee Creek; at the William Long prospect.Amethyst: gem quality crystals; deeep coloring, frequent banding. 19-21

25-  Macon County: Otto area; 2 miles northeast of the mouth of Tessentee Creek; at the American Gem and Pearl Company workings. Amethyst: gem quality crystals to 2" diameter; deep color, frequent banding.2-21

26-  Macon County: Otto area; 1 mile south; main outcrop on headwaters of Tessentee Creek; at the Littlefield Beryl mine. Beryl: blue, golden, yellow. 2

27-  Macon County: Otto area; 0.6 mile east; on Tessentee Creek; at the Long Mine. Contains Amethyst. 2

28-  Macon County: Otto area; 0.6 mile on Tessentee Creek; at the Connolly Mine. Amethyst, Aquamarine. 2

29- Macon County: Rainbow Springs area; southwest on SR-664 to bridge over Buck Creek;turn right at bridge and go 1 mile to another bridge; park and walk up mountain to outcrops. Contains Garnet,pyrope, Ruby (in Smaragdite). 1-8-9-13-24-29

30-  Macon County: Scaly area; southwest on SR- 106 to mine dumps on Scaly Mountain. Contains Corundum. 2

31-  Macon County-  West Mills area; 2'5 miles northeast; at the Holbrook Mine(collecting fee). Contains Ruby, Sapphire.2

32-  Macon County: West Mill area; 2.5 miles northeast; at the Jacobs Mine (collecting fee). Contains Ruby, Sapphire. 2

33-  Macon County: West Mill area; 2.4 miles northeast; at the Sheffield Mine (collecting fee). Contains Ruby, Sapphire. 2

34-  Macon County. West Mill area; 2.4 miles northeast; at the Schuler Mine (collecting fee). Contains Ruby, Sapphire. 2

35-  West Mill area; 2.3 miles northeast; at the Gregory Mine (collecting fee). Contains Ruby, Sapphire. 2

36-  Macon County: West Mill area: 2 miles northeast; at the Caler Mine (collecting fee). Contains Ruby, Sapphire. 2

37-  West Mill area: 2 miles northeast; at the Gibson Ruby Mine. Contains Ruby. 2-6

38-  Macon County: West Mill area; in Cowee Creek from its mouth on the Little Tennessee River upstream for 3 miles; in streambed and banks and on the on-site hill, which is the original source. Contains Chromite, Gahnite(zinc spinal). Garnet,almandine: pink to deep red. GOLD. Iolite: colorless. Kyanite,Monzanite, Pyrite,Ruby Rutile, Spinel(Pleonnaste): black. Staurolite: transparent. Tremolite, Zircon.

39-  Jackson County: Cashiers area; at the Rice Mine. Contains Aquamarine. 2

40-  Jackson County: Cashiers area; on the south side of Sapphire Lake; at the Bad Creek Mine. Contains Ruby. 2

41- Jackson County: Cullowhee area; 1.25 miles south-southeast at the confluence of Caney Fork and Johns Creek; on ridge; at unnamed prospect. Contains Beryl. 21

42-  Jackson County: Dillsboro area; just southeast; near crest of ridge; at the Frady Mine. Contains Garnet, Muscovite, quartz. 2-16

43-  Jackson County: Grimshawes area; 1.75 miles east of the summit of Whiteside Mountain; 0.5 mile northeast of Whiteside Cove; at the Grimshawes Mine. Contains Beryl: gem quality. 2

44-  Jackson County: Grimshawes area;on Sugar Loaf Mountain.Contains Garnet. 1-13

45-  Jackson County: Grimshawes area; on the Whitewater River; at the abandoned Sapphire Mine. Contains Corundum: blue, small, transparent. Sapphire. 2

46-  Jackson County: Grimshawes area: on the Whitewater River; at the abandoned Whitewater Mine. Contains Corundum: blue, small, transparent. 2

47-  Jackson County: Wolf Mountain area; in small streams. Contains Ruby: fine gem quality. Sapphire: blue, yellow. 7-19

48-  Henderson County: Tuxedo area; 0.4 mile northeast; turn right on unmarked road and follow along north shore of Lake Summit to the Jones Mine. Contains Albite,Anatase, Auerlite, Calcite, Cryolite, Epidote, Garnet, Microcline, Monzanite, Muscovite,Sphene.Zircon. 2-16

49-  Polk County: Pea Ridge Area; 0.5 mile south; at the North Star Mine. Contains Feldspar; crystals; gem quality. Garnet. Quartz, blue: gem quality. Tourmaline. 2

50-  Rutherford County: Ellenboro area; west of US-74 to just outside town; then right on paved road for 1 mile; then right again to the Dycus Mine. Contains Beryl, Quartz, Rose. 2

51-  Rutherford County: Hollis area; at the J.D. Twitty Placer Gold Mine. Contains DIAMOND: 1 stone 1.33 ct. Flawless; pale yellow; found in 1845. 17-21

52-  Rutherford County: Hollis area; on the Leventhorpe Property. Contains DIAMOND: 1 stone 0.84 ct.; fine quality,found in placer; date not given. 17

53-  Cleveland County: Casar area; 3.5 miles southwest; at the Elliott Mine. Contains Beryl. 2

54-  Cleveland County: Casar area; 2 miles west. Contains Quartz: Rutilated, clear, colorless, gem quality. 1

55-Cleveland County:Casar area;2 miles south-southwest.Contains Quartz, rutilated. 1 

56- Cleveland County: Earl area; 1.3 miles east; between SR-198 and Buffalo Creek. Contains Aquamarine, Garnet. 1-13

57-  Cleveland County: Hollybush area; on west side of the Broad River; on the Whisnant Property. Contains Beryl. 16

58-  Cleveland County: Kings Mountain area; DIAMOND; 1 stone; canary; very fine;   0.75 ct. Found in 1893. 3

59-  Cleveland County: Kings Mountain area; at the Foote Mine. Contains Apatite: fine crystals; honey colored; transparent. 2

60-  Cleveland County: Latimore area; 1.6 miles northwest on 54-18. Contains Mica: good crystals. 1-13-29

61-  Cleveland County: Latimore area: 1.75 miles south at the C.B. McSwain Mine. Contains Biotite, Feldspare: Kaolinized. Garnet, Plagioclase, Potash, Quartz, Rock, Sillimanite: abundant. 2

62-  Cleveland County: Metcalf area; at the Mary Gold Mine. Contains Sillimanite. 2

63-  Cleveland County: Polkville area; 0.9 mile northeast; at the Getty's No1 Mine. Contains Marcasite. 2-9-16

64-  Cleveland County: Shelby area; 6 miles south on SR-18 to bend of the Broad River; near the Stice Dam. Contains Emerald. 1-13-20

65-  Cleveland County: Shelby area; 4.75 miles south to the Stice Dam; 0.75 mile west of Dam to bend in east bank of the Broad River; on the W.B. Turner Property. Contains Aquamarine, Beryl, Biotite, Emerald, Muscovite, Olivine, Quartz, Smoky, Rutilated, Tourmaline. 2

66-  Cleveland County: Shelby area; 3 miles northwest; at the Cornnwell Mine (aka Blanton Mine). Contains Microline, to 3 inches diameter. 2

67-  Cleveland County: Shelby area; 1 mile south of Sharon Church. Contains Quartz, rock. 1-13-14-29

68-  Cleveland County; Shelby area;  SR-131 to first road on right after the fiber plant; park near waterwheel mill; collect on hillside behind mill and below Dam.cContains Quartz, smoky, Rutile. 1-13-14-29

69-  Cleveland County: Shelby County; south on SR-18 to SR_150; 2 miles west on SR-150 to side road left; 0.5 mile south on side road. Contains Quartz, rock 1-13-14

70-  Cleveland County: Toluca area: 1.75 miles west; at the A.F. Hoyle Mine. Contains Andesine,Apatite,Biotite: brown. Calcite: white. Epidote, Hornblende: green. Zircon. 2

71-  Cleveland County: Toluca area; 1.6 miles west; along a southeast-flowing tributary of Knob Creek; at the A.F. Hoyle No 2 Mine. Contains Apatite: green. Autunite, Calcite, Garnet, Muscovite: green. Perthite: large,well formed crystals. Contains Quartz, rock, Zeolite. 2

72-  Cleveland County: Toluca area; at the G.B. McSwain Mine. Contains Garnet, crystals to 1.5" diameter. 2

73-  Cleveland County: Toluca area; west; in road cuts. Contains Garnet. 4

74-  Cleveland County: Washburn area; 1.75 miles northeast; at the Martin Mine. Contains Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Marcasite, Muscovite, Perthite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite,Quartz, rock. 2

75-  Gaston County: Alexis area; 1.5 miles east, in fields. Contains Kyanite, Lazulite, Rutile. 1

76-  Gaston County: Alexis area; on Chubb Mountain.  Contains Kyanite, Lazulite; rich blue masses, Muscovite. 16

77- Gaston County: Alexis area; on Chubb Mountain; at the Lowe Property. Contains Rutile. 1-13-29

78-  Gaston County: Alexis area; on SR-27; near Lincoln County border; at the Lowe Commercial Prospect (collecting fee). Contains Rutile. 1-10-13-29

79-  Gaston County: Cherryville area; 3.5 miles southeast; on the east side of the Cherryville-King's Mountain road; on the M.S. Bess property; at the big Bess Mine. Contains Apatite, Beryl, Biotite, Garnet, Ilmenite, Muscovite, Oligoclase(sunstone var.), Perthite, Quartz, rock, Sillimanite, Tourmaline, Zircon. 2

80-  Gaston County: Crowders Mountain area; Contains Kyanite, Lazulite: blue; crystals and masses, Muscovite. 16

81-  Lincoln County: Boger County area; DIAMOND: 1 stone; 0.5 ct.; transparent pale green, Octaahedron; fine; clear; found in placer operation in 1852. 17-21

82-  Lincoln County: Denver area; 1.25 miles southwest; on the Goodson Property. Contains Amethyst; gem quality. 1

83-  Lincoln County: Flay area; at the Foster Mine (aka Thompson Mine). Contains Apatite, Apetite, Biotite, Garnet: brick-red crystals to .25" diameter. Muscovite, Pyrite, Quartz, rock. Tourmaline, black. 2-16

84-  Lincoln County: Flay area: at the Biggerstaff Mine (aka Deadman Mine). Contains Garnet: crystals to 2' diameter. 2

85-  Lincoln County: Flay area; near where the road crosses Buffalo Creek; at the Carbine Mine. Contains Beryl. 2

86-  Lincoln County: Flay area; near where the road crosses Buffalo Creek; at the Brown Mine. Contains Beryl. 1

87-  Lincoln County: Iron Station area; 1.75 miles northeast; on the J.P. Lynch Property ( collecting fee). Contains Amethyst: gem quality. 1

88- Lincoln County: Iron Station area; 2 miles northeast; at the Rendleman Property. Contains Amethyst: gem quality. 1

89-  Lincoln County; Iron Station area; north on CR-1314 to right turn on SR-75; follow SR-75 to right turn on CR-1509; follow CR-1509 to a right turn on CR-1417; follow CR-1417 to the Reel Property; park near trailer (at which you pay collecting fee) and walk to digging area. Contains Amethyst. 1

90-  Iron Station area; on SR-27; on Leepers Creek. Amethyst: light lavender to deep purple. 2-9

91- Oconee County: County wide. Contains Sillimanite: dark brown crystals to 2" long. 1-2-13

92-  Oconee County: Seneca area; 2 miles north; on the Leroy Property. Contains Sillimanite: fine gem quality; cat's-eye; large crystals. 1-13-14-24

93-  Pickens County: Clemson area; 4.5 miles north; 0.7 mile northwest of Twelve Mile Creek; at the head Mica Prospect. Garnet, Quartz, rock. 21

94-  Pickens County: Easley area; Contains Talc (soapstone). 27

95-  Pickens County: Norris area; near Meece Mill; at the Meece Mine. Contains Feldspar: pink; Chatoyant. 2

96-  Pickens County: Six Mile area: 1.8 miles southwest; 1 mile east of the Seneca River, on Six Mile Creek; at the Davis Prospect. Contains Feldspar; Chatoyant. Garnet, Quartz, rock. Tourmaline. 21

97-  Greenville County: Golden Grove area; 1.1 miles south; close to Piedmont (Anderson County); at the D. McNeely Property. Contains Beryl. 1-13

98-  Golden Grove area; just to the west of SR-20; across the RR tracks; close to the Saluda River; at the Cleveland Mica Prospect. Contains Beryl: clear. 21

99- Greenville County: Greenville area; 5.9 miles north; close to the east border of Paris Mountain State Park; 350' east of road to confluence of two brooks; at the Boling Prospect. Contains Garnet: bright red. Quartz, rock: very clear. Quartz, smoky: gem quality. Sillimanite: brown. Tourmaline: black. 21-24

100-  Greenville County: Simpsonville area; at the Willimon Mine. Contains Amazonite: pale blue-green. Feldspar: peach colored; chatoyant. Kyanite: fine crystals. Rutile, Xenotime: bright yellow crystals. 2

101-  Spartanburg County: Chesnee area: at the abandoned Cowpens Mica Mine. Contains Garnet, Quartz, milky: massive. Tourmaline. 2

102-  Spartanburg County: County-wide in streams. DIAMOND: rare; small. GOLD. 3-7-17-18

103-  Spartanburg County: Cross Anchor area; at abandoned Mica Mine. Contains Tourmaline: black; sharply terminated pencil crystals. 2

104-  Spartanburg County; Enoree area; where Enoree Road crosses Two Mile Creek. Contains Quartzite, red and gem quality. 1-4-13-14-18-20

105-  Spartanburg County: Glenn Springs area; 8 miles south; at Mines. Contains Psilomelane. 2

106-  Spartanburg County: Spartanburg area Mines. Asbestos: crystals in mass. 2

107-  Spartanburg County: Spartanburg area Streambeds. Contains GOLD, Zircon. 3-7-17-18-21

108-  Cherokee County: Blackburg area; 2.5 miles northwest on Buffalo Church road; in pegmatites adjacent to the road; on the Andrew Moore Property. Contains Emerald, Sapphire. 1-3-14-16-24

109-  Cherokee County: Blackburg area 2 miles north; near Earles Station. Contains Emerald. 6

110-  Cherokee County: Blackburg area; near the Buffalo Church on the W.T. Gibbons Property and in the adjacent streams. Contains Amethyst: rich purple. Corundum, Rutile: very dark; lustrous. 1-7-13-20

111-  Cherokee County: Gaffney area; north; in vicinity of Porters Hill; in the Broad River and it's tributaries. Contains Emerald: gem quality. Topaz: small crystals. Zircon: gem quality.1-3-7-13-20

112-  Cherokee County: Kings Creek area; 2 miles southwest; at the Barkat Mine. Contains Amethyst, Azurite, Chaleopyrite, Copper, native. Galena, GOLD, Hematite, Kyanite, Malachite, Pyrite, Quartz, rock. Soapstone. 2

113-  Cherokee County: Kings Creek area Mines southeast of town. Contains Barite, Calcite, Galena, GOLD, Pyrite, Sphalerite. 2

114-  Cherokee County: Love Springs area, 0.5 mile south; at the abandoned Troy Blanton mica Mine. Contains Garnet, Tourmaline. 2

115-  York County: Clover area; 6'3 miles southeast on SR-55; 0.25 mile west of the junction of SR-49 and SR-55. Contains Corundum: black crystals. 1-13

116-  York County: Clover area; 3 miles northwest on SR-508; on the slopes of Henry Knob. Contains Andalusite, Kyanite, Lazulite, Staurolite. 1-4-13-29

117-  York County: Hickory Grove area; west and southwest at Gold Mines. Contains Calcite, Galena, GOLD, Pyrite, Sphalerite. 2

118-   York County: Hickory grove area; 2.2 miles west on Smiths Ford road; at the magnolia mine. GOLD, Malachite. 2

119- York County: Hickory Grove area; 4 miles southwest on SR-211; 0.5 mile northwest of road; on slopes of Worth Mountain. Contains Andalusite, Kyanite, Lazulite. Staurolite. 1-14-13

120-  York County: Rock Hill area; 5 miles west on SR-322; along the road in the area of Fishing Creek. Contains Sillimanite. 1-13

121-  York County: Smyrna area; north and west; at Gold Mines. Contains Calcite, Galena, GOLD, Pyrite, Sphalerite. 2

122-  York County: Smyrna area; 3.5 miles west; at the Hull Mine. Contains Tourmaline: black; Flowerlike Stellate Crystals clusters on snow-white Quartz; Superb cabinet specimens. 2

123-  York County: York area; just northeast; at abandoned Copper Mine. Contains Azurite, Copper, native. Cuprite, Malachite. 2

 

Mineral Location Numbers

1- On the surface and/or in the soil.

2- In mine and /or in mine dump.

3- In gravel deposit.

4- In natural or man-made exposure and /or cut.

5- In matrix or in situ.

6- In soil (but not usually on surface)

7- In streambed, lakebed, coastal shallows.

8- In talus and /or natural debris.

9- In rings and /or pockets and /or cavities.

10- In gravel pit.

11- In sand pit.

12- In quarry

13- In washes, ravines, gullies, draws, ditches.

14- Weathered from matrix.

15- In volcanic tuff or pillow basalt.

16- In pegmatite dike.

17- In gold-bearing sands and/or gravels.

18- In/or gravel bar.

19- In vein or stream.

20- Loose on shoreline.

21- In prospect or placer.

22- In sediment deposits.

23- In alluvial deposits.

24- In exposed pegmatite dike.

25- In clay.

26- In sand.

27- In schist.

28- In shale and/ or slate.

29- In outcropping (natural or exposed by man).

30- In spoil deposits.

31- In ash deposits.

32- In cave and/or cave vicinity.

33- In marl.

34- In gneiss.

35- In clay pit.

36- In/on sand bar.

37- in/on fill deposit.

38- Occuring as drusey or crust.

39- In natural bed.

40- In conglomerates.

41- In concretions.

42- In/on Ledges.