North Georgia was the home of the first North American gold rush. Records indicate that gold was mined there as early as 1819, and by 1829 mining operations flourished in White, Lumpkin, Union and Cherokee counties. More gold was mined in northern Georgia than during the more well-known California Gold Rush of 1849. Today visitors and would-be prospectors have the opportunity to pan for gold and gems using the same tools and techniques utilized by early miners.
Located a stone's throw from the Chattahoochee National Forest in Cleveland, Gold 'n Gem Grubbin is north Georgia's only commercially-operating gold mine. Opened to the public in 1984, the mine, once part of the productive Loud Mine, enables guests to pan for gold and gems in sluices or along the stocked creek bed. Guests may also purchase buckets of raw gem ore. Finds often include raw rubies, sapphires, emeralds, amethysts or topazes, and gold shavings. The Gold 'n Gem Grubbin staff is available to evaluate finds, and an on-site jeweler cuts and custom mounts gems in gold settings.
Originally established in 1847, the Crisson Gold Mine is an authentic open-pit mine that was worked until the early 1980s. This Dahlonega mine opened to the public in 1969 and is the oldest gold mining establishment in the northern portion of the state. Crisson sells its ore by five-gallon buckets. Guests may work it on site or take the ore home. Trommel machines, which separate the gold from sand, are available for use or the work may be done meticulously by hand. Guests also have the opportunity to grub for gems at the Crisson mine. Sand from Franklin, North Carolina, known for its rubies and sapphires, is also available for purchase.
Dukes Creek Gem and Mining Company is nestled in Helen near its namesake, Dukes Creek, the location that launched America's first gold rush. This mining company sits about two miles from the Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area and the Chattahoochee National Forest. Gold buckets and mixed gem ore that may include agates, Apache tears, emeralds or rubies are offered for purchase. Fossil, blood stone and quartz buckets are also available and daily panning lessons are given by staff members. Custom cutting and mounting is offered on-site.
