Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine
Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine
Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine
3.5
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3.5
208 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
58
Average
21
Poor
19
Terrible
31
Heather Keenan
Gaffney, SC100 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
It was an okay place. Not the best gem mine. Paid $12 for a big sand bucket and got maybe a handful of gems. Lady was nice though.
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happy Campers
5 contributions
Jul 2022
The kids were so pleased with their gems! Afterwards we had them appraised and plan to have them tumbled and polished.
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn B
1 contribution
Sept 2021 • Couples
Horrible. We went while on vacation
Told they were closing early so they sold us 2 bags to take home. We got 1 amethyst the rest were nothing but rocks. NO GEMS AT ALL. Don't EVER get take home bags... It should be illegal to sell dirt with rocks.
Told they were closing early so they sold us 2 bags to take home. We got 1 amethyst the rest were nothing but rocks. NO GEMS AT ALL. Don't EVER get take home bags... It should be illegal to sell dirt with rocks.
Written 23 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug & Heidi B
Bethune, SC54 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Fun thing to do on spur of the moment!! Reasonably priced and you learn a little about rocks and gems!
Our associate was Sam and she was great!! Knowledgeable, fun, helpful and super sweet!!! We really enjoyed our “mining” experience with her help!
We found citrine, topaz, & sapphire rocks along with some just plain pretty regular old rocks. Lee helped us identify our rocks and helped us in getting some jewelry made. My husband had the sapphires made into a gorgeous set of earrings for me!
Definitely check them out, ask for Sam at the mining trough and then go see Lee inside for help with your rocks!!
Our associate was Sam and she was great!! Knowledgeable, fun, helpful and super sweet!!! We really enjoyed our “mining” experience with her help!
We found citrine, topaz, & sapphire rocks along with some just plain pretty regular old rocks. Lee helped us identify our rocks and helped us in getting some jewelry made. My husband had the sapphires made into a gorgeous set of earrings for me!
Definitely check them out, ask for Sam at the mining trough and then go see Lee inside for help with your rocks!!
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David J
19 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
…it was a waste of time for me. With so many other things to do in Cherokee (many free of charge), why waste your time (and money)?
Written 24 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sugarhill2
Richburg, SC22 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Was very hesitant by reading these reviews but we found nothing but very kind and knowledgeable employees. Everyone was super helpful and we had a blast and found lot of stones in the variety bucket. Will definitely be returning.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat M
Mebane, NC3 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
The employees are rude we got there 45 minutes before they were supposed to close and were ran out! Never leave your doors open just to send people out smh. I would not come back to business with these aholes if you paid me!
Written 7 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James H
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Friends
Always a must when on a trip to Cherokee! Been with family, been with friends, such a great experience. I usually go for the Emeralds buckets and the rubies and sapphire buckets- seem to get larger stones. I did purchase the mixed one once and although the stones were smaller there was quite a variety. I don't know what all the bad reviews are for- I have never left this place disappointed. I am sure different buckets have different amounts of stones but that's half the fun, not knowing what you are gonna find. Friendly staff, the man inside very knowledgeable about what you find. Very cool store too. I can't speak on behalf of having jewelry made there, I always keep what I find. My sister had a ring made though and seemed pretty happy. Can't wait to go back this summer!
Written 28 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobSC1001
Gaffney, SC459 contributions
Jan 2021
This is a great little gem stone store and panning joint. The bathroom are clean and I felt comfortable I was going to be Sea Bass.
Written 17 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea T
Belleair Beach, FL58 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We did a mining in another area that the gems/rocks were in the original dirt it was nice they took awhile to break apart and sift, here it just crumbled and didn’t last long. Here it felt like it was all prearranged Like they put those stones in there ahead of time. The staff was not very interested in assisting us except the lady inside the store was so helpful and we did get fun gems but the man inside telling us what we found seemed annoyed and not interested in helping explain it all kind of disappointed but also somewhat enjoyed so would possibly do again but maybe earlier in the day when people are less tired and grouchy.
Written 23 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamala B
3 contributions
We've been to this establishment many times and found reputable stones that I've made into various jewelry. That said, I believe the main question to be asked is...."Did you and your group have a good time????" That is one of the things that we go her to do, is have a good time. You can pick how much you want to spend, whether it be a little or a lot....but you always have a good time.....priceless!
Brandon "Thehumblevagabond" Downs
Largo, FL
I plan on coming to Cherokee in the end of march be there around 29th 30th is that good time to go i really want to take my niece to pan for gold.
Can kids share a bucket of dirt or is each participant required to have their own?
Andrea J
Lowell, MA111 contributions
Aabsolutely buckets can be shared. You only do a little at a time to clean off dirt, sitting at a trough with water so yes. Do the 2 bags of assorted gems for $15, then they each have their own. Totally worth it.
TripMomof1
USA185 contributions
How much does this cost? Looking for a short, inexpensive experience for a child.
Gran7
Crossett1,636 contributions
Also you can make this any length adventure you want!
nancee1115
Deltona, FL19 contributions
Are the mines salted? Thanks
Dusty W
Asheville, NC69 contributions
No. Just a lot of dirt!
U won't be open in Feb then.We are coming for anniversary and would love to come and see what we could get..
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Claim your listingSMOKY MOUNTAIN GOLD AND RUBY MINE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine
- Hotels near Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine:
- (0.12 km) River's Edge Motel
- (0.39 km) Rolling Hills Lodge
- (0.46 km) Super 8 by Wyndham Cherokee
- (0.42 km) Newfound Lodge
- (0.61 km) Pink Motel
- Restaurants near Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine:
- (0.03 km) Mini Donut Place
- (0.19 km) BJ's Diner
- (0.27 km) Paul's Family Restaurant
- (0.72 km) Peter's Pancakes & Waffles
- (0.36 km) Dairy Queen