Greenville Gemstone Mine

Did you know that the first gold rush in the United States started just 2 hours from Greenville in Cabarrus County, North Carolina? That's right, back in 1799 a 12-year old boy found a 17-pound gold nugget while fishing in the creek behind his house—talk about a catch! With his discovery, America's first gold rush was on.

Over 200 years may have passed since then, but it's not too late to get in on the fun! At Greenville Gemstone Mine, you can discover fascinating treasures without leaving Main Street. Purchase a bucket of rocks and gravel loaded with a random assortment of gems. All the necessary equipment for your mining adventure is provided free of charge, including a shovel, sifter, and storage bag for your stones. Buckets include a mix of local and international origin stones. Some stones come from as far away as India, while others come from local North Carolina mines. A large variety of over 40 gemstones can be unearthed. Knowledgeable staff with help you identify your catch and, of course, you get to take home whatever you find!

The Greenville Gemstone Mine offers birthday party packages for kids as well as group packages for school field trips. The store also serves as a retail showroom for the largest selection of sterling silver and gemstone jewelry in the area – perfect for picking out unique gifts for the gems in your life.