When you hear the word ruby, North Carolina probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. We tend to picture rubies coming from faraway places like Myanmar, Thailand, or Sri Lanka. But guess what? Rubies are found right here in North Carolina, too! Some of our best-known ruby discoveries have come from Macon County, especially the beautiful Cowee Valley near Franklin. This area has been attracting miners, gem lovers, and curious visitors for well over a century—and peopl

Emerald is my birthstone, but I never realized that some truly remarkable emeralds have been discovered right here in North Carolina. Let’s explore their fascinating history, how they form and where visitors can legally search for them today.