Hunting for treasure has been around since the Gold Rush days in the North Georgia Mountains. With tourists and travelers eager to experience local culture and history, a variety of family-friendly gem mining attractions have popped up in recent years. Kids and kids at heart love panning for gemstones, fossils, geodes, and gold in North Georgia.
Staff members are typically quite knowledgeable of gemstones and are happy to help identify what you find. Plus, many gem mining companies offer to turn your finds into gorgeous jewelry pieces that make great souvenirs or gifts. Pro tip: North of Atlanta is where you’ll find the best gem mining in Georgia!
Best Gem Mining in North Georgia
Aska Mining Company | Blue Ridge, GA
Search for rubies, amethyst, garnet, emeralds, and sapphires near the Toccoa River when you go gem mining in Blue Ridge at the Aska Mining Company. And go tubing downriver afterward!
Consolidated Gold Mine | Dahlonega, GA
As the only authentic gold mine tour in Dahlonega, Consolidated Gold Mine offers a unique experience on your Blue Ridge Mountain vacation. Of course, you can mine for precious gems and try your hand at gold panning, too!
Crisson Gold Mine | Dahlonega, GA
Pan for gold and gemstones at the only working stamp mill in Georgia that just happens to be 130 years old! Advanced miners can take advantage of gold concentrates, separators, dredges, and even metal detectors.
Dukes Creek Gold and Ruby Mines | Sautee Nacoochee, GA
Emeralds, sapphires, rubies, amethyst, and more are waiting to be found at the panning tables beneath the shade. Plus, there’s a gift shop that features local, farm-fresh goods to try.
Gold ‘N Gem Grubbin’ | Cleveland, GA
Go “grubbing” for Georgia gold and gems — including topaz, moonstone, citrine, aventurine, peridot, garnet, amethyst, rubies, and emeralds. You can also get healing bags filled with positive energy crystals.
Huck’s Lost Mine | Blue Ridge, GA
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is Huck’s Lost Mine, a gem miner’s paradise. Grab a 2-pound bag or 3-gallon bucket, pan for gemstones, and crack open geodes…it’s addictive.
Outpost Gold & Gem Panning | Helen, GA
Sister to Dukes Creek and Ruby Mines, screen for gems, pan for gold nuggets, and mine for fossils and geodes at this one-of-a-kind outpost with paydirt mines. There’s also a shop with authentic Navajo pottery and prehistoric fossils.
Talking Rock General | Talking Rock, GA
Fossil digging, gold panning, and gem mining are offered at this neat facility with 2 mining sluices. You can even book a birthday party with Mayfield ice cream for the kiddos!
The Lilly Pad Village | Blue Ridge, GA
Claimed as the best gem mining in town, The Lilly Pad Village features a covered outdoor area with panning tables and running water to help you find gemstones. There’s also fishing, mini-golf, and a shop.
South Georgia Honorable Mentions
- Hogg Mine | Lagrange, GA
- Perry Gem Mining | Perry, GA
North Georgia Cabins
After mining for gems, gold, and fossils, finding precious stones, and “striking it rich,” return to your North Georgia cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains to unwind and kick up your feet in front of a crackling fireplace or big screen TV. Our Georgia Cabins for YOU selection is always growing and currently offers pet-friendly, budget-friendly, luxury, romantic, family, and large group cabins.
Amenities vary and include entertainment, relaxing activities, and homey conveniences. Soak tired muscles in the steamy hot tub, sip local moonshine in the rockers, watch movies in the home theater, play pool in the game room, and enjoy spa baths in the indoor jetted tub. Read by the fireplace, cook in the fully equipped kitchen, toss burgers on the grill, roast s’mores around the firepit, tuck the kids into bunks, and snooze in your custom king suite. And that’s just the start! Book online or at 1.800.580.5524.
Plan your North Georgia vacation today and don’t forget to check out cool gem mining in Georgia!
