Sheffield Mine is one of the oldest Ruby Mines still in operation in the Cowee Valley.  This mine was once owned by Tiffany's, but for the past 60 years or so,it has been available to the public!  Even though this mine has beenin operation for so many years, "There's still Rubies in them thar hills! "  Oh, yeah!  Honkers are found on a regular basis and smaller rubies and sapphires are quite numerous!

When you turn off of Leatherman Gap Road, you'll travel half a mile on a gentle mountain road to reach the mine. After parking in our spacious parking lot, you'll descend to the mining area by stairway. 

If you have trouble walking, for any reason, we can come up to the parking lot to get you in a Cub Cadet and we'll tote you back again when you are ready to leave.  Either send someone ahead to tell us, or beep your horn 3 times - and we'll be there as soon as possible!

At the 150 foot flume, as you wash the dirt away fromthe stones, you'll enjoy both sunshine and shade as the sun moves across the sky, but it is the sun that acts as a spot light, helping to reveal the gemstones in your screening tray, showing you a glimmer of pink/purple/red that says "I'm a Ruby!  Take me home!". 

We will show you what to look for and how to clean the dirt away so that you won't miss finding a Ruby if it's there.  And we are always very happy to assist you in identifying the stones that you find, even the Leaverites. 

We furnish the equipment that you'll need to find gemstones - including something to take your stones home in - so all you need to bring is yourself.

Mother Nature placed these gemstones in beds of clay wherethey have remained undisturbed for  millions of years until we excavatethe dirt from the hillside and shovel the gem-bearing clay into bucketsfrom which you work.

Our gemstones appear in all sizes and shapes including the typical hexagonal form and all colors from pink to dark red and purple. They most likely will have a rough coat which has not been tumbled awayin a creek, but at least one shimmering surface or corner will signal yourwatchful eye to "Take me home with you". A cut and polished Sheffield Ruby will often STAR and it is not only beautiful, but it's truly distinctive. 
 

Plan to spend a day or two with us. 
It will be a rewarding and fun experience!

RAINBOW BUCKETS were created for children and even adults, who find it too time consuming to work with the Native Ruby bearing Sheffiield Mine material. RAINBOW BUCKETS are gauranteed to contain at least 5 different Semi-Precious stones which might include Amethyst, Topaz, Golden Citrine, Moonstone, Garnets, and more, which make beautiful jewelry.  Regular RAINBOW BUCKETS can be part of your Admission Price if you choose!
 

SPECIALTY RAINBOW BUCKETS - These buckets range in price from $25 to $100.  They contain many more stones than the regular RAINBOW BUCKETS and they also include some fine Specimen Rocks as well.   In addition, you'll find semi-precious stones that are not included in the regular RAINBOW BUCKET including, but not limited to Emeralds.  You'll  also receive a Rock Hound Button and a Gem Identification Card.
 

EMERALD BUCKETS - We have Emerald Bags and Buckets that are guaranteed to contain 250, 500 or 1000 Carats of Brazillian Emeralds, depending on which size container you choose to purchase. 
 

GEM MINING KITS - Allow you to take home the fun!  These kits come complete with a smaller version of the Screening Tray, just like the one that you'll use right here at the mine.  Also included is a bag of Rainbow Dirt with semi-precious gems from around the world and a Gem Identification Card.  These Mining Kits are good for Birthday Parties, or Theme Parties or to share with someone who couldn't come on this trip with you or your favorite littleRock-Hound.  You might want to get an extra bucket or two of Gem-Dirt-To-Go, and maybe even 2 or 3 Mining Kits so that you'll have extra dirt to go thru and extra Trays.  To use these kits, all you need is agarden hose and a wash basin is nice, but not necessary.
 

GEM-DIRT-TO-GO  - You can purchase either Rainbow Dirt, or Emerald Dirt to take home.  You can use the Mining Kit listed above, or you can use a very fine strainer.  The Mining Kit really is easier to use! 

(Native Ruby Dirt is only sold if you have gone through at least one bucket of Native Dirt while here at the mine and we feel confident that you are aware of what you are looking for and how to go about it.  After going through one bucket, even if you didn't find much, we will have had the opportunity to show you how to scrub effectively and we will have shown you several examples of what you are looking for as well as the other characteristics of Rubies & Sapphires besides their color.  Our Rubies and Sapphires look very different in most cases from what you find at Salted Mines because the Rubies & Sapphires that  you find at Salted Mines were formed under similar, but different conditions half way around the world.  They are NOT NATIVE Cowee Valley Rubies & Sapphires!)  

Oh, and you REALLY do need a Gem Mine Kit (for the sake of the heavy duty tray) if you intend to take home Native Dirt!