One of the Best Places to Find Treasure!

The prospect of unearthing my very own ruby without leaving the U.S. was alluring. Several years ago, my husband learned about Sheffield Mine via a segment on the Travel Channel. We planned it as part of a vacation itinerary and have since visited the Sheffield Mine three times.

   Mining for rubies at Sheffield isn't what you might expect. You don't need a pick, an axe or a shovel. A small stiff-bristled scrub brush, heavy rubber gloves, a ball cap and lunch is all you'll need to mine the buckets that are filled daily from fresh dug heaps carted from the ruby veins.

    Usually when we think of rubies, we think red. That's because the most valuable rubies are often pigeon blood red. However, it's possible to uncover a valuable ruby or sapphire, which is more bluish, if they are not heavily included. There are more rubies than sapphires unearthed at Sheffield.

    Rubies and sapphires are both precious gems called corundum. Next to a diamond they are the hardest mineral in the world, being a nine on the Mohs scale, while diamonds are ten.

    During one visit to the mine, our daughter discovered a Super Honker of a ruby weighing over 300 carats! At Sheffield a ruby that weighs between 20-30 carats is called a Squeaker, rubies weighing over 30 carats are called Honkers and rubies over 100 carats are called Super Honkers.

    On first inspection, rubies and sapphires look like most other stones covered in dirt. So how do you know the difference? A LOT of washing and scrubbing. And the workers at Sheffield are incredibly accommodating. They help inspect trays and offer encouragement and on-site gemologists will weigh your stones free!

    If you plan to visit the mine, wear your cleaning duds and reserve a room. You'll likely want to shower after a day of mining. Besides Franklin, NC, located in the gorgeous Smoky Mountains is a quaint town full of interesting shops in a nostalgic setting.

    I'm planning to have my squeaker set in a ring or pendant - or perhaps I'll opt for earrings. Shucks, guess the latter might require another trip to the mine.