Welcome to Rio Doce Gem Mine!
Celebrating 30 years in the Blue Ridge mountains, Rio Doce is like no other North Carolina gem mine! Come spend a day of family fun and leave with sparkling treasure's you can pass down for generations.
In Western North Carolina gem mines dot the mountains and offer a fun experience for rock hounds and gem seekers alike. At Rio Doce we offer something quite unique. We don't get our Gemstones and minerals from the middle man, we OWN the mine in Rio Doce (sweet river) Brazil! It is a river valley that runs through one of the richest gemstone deposits in the world. The stones you find come direct from the mountains of South America as well as the Spruce Pine Gem Mine district. It truly is an adventure for all ages!
Choose from numerous bucket sizes and specialty gemstone buckets then we will show you just how to "mine" the ore and uncover your new treasure. Our covered flume lines ensure a day of family fun come rain or shine. When you have finished, or if you need a break from lifting all of your new found jewels, relax on our raised deck picnic area overlooking a babbling brook.
"What will we find?"
Once you have soaked up enough of our beautiful setting, or you are just chomping at the bit to learn what you have discovered, head inside and one of our trained assayers will go over gem material with you stone by stone. They will explain the origin of each gemstone and their trained eye and years of experience will help you spot which pieces will produce the very best cut gemstone.
"What do we do with our stones then?"
The whole process is a wonderful, highly enjoyable family experience and once completed you will have an heirloom that you personally took from gem mine to jewelry.
The assayer will separate and bag your new finds. Then with your favorite gemstones in hand, they go to the gem cutting side of Rio Doce, Jerry Call inc. where they are in for the royal treatment. Jerry Call is a world famous gem cutter and has spent decades cutting historically famous stones, for museums and celebrities alike. With the help of experienced staff you will work out what size and shape the finished stone will be, or if you are adventurous, learn to cut the stone yourself! afterwards, plan to have it set in one of thousands of gold or silver mountings that will really show it off.
As Seen on the Travel Channels Cash & Treasures!
Bucket Prices
$15 - $35 - $65 - $125 Plus Tax
Emerald or Aquamarine - $35