COWEE GIFT SHOP AND MASON MOUNTAIN MINE

Owned and Operated by
Tom and Ginger Johnson

In the late 1800’s, a mine was discovered in northern Macon County, North Carolina that was rich in Rhodolite garnets and six other minerals. The mine was a well-known treasure to the county’s earliest inhabitants and in 1965, when Tom Johnson was just six months old, his father purchased the mine. Today, the mine is still in the family with Tom and his wife, Ginger, continuing the family’s legacy of opening the mine, now known as Cowee Gift Shop and Mason Mountain Mine.

Tom & Ginger Johnson

Mason Mountain Mine Covered Flume

The family mining tradition has remained, making the mine a popular gathering site for families and miners from all over the world who come to Macon County still searching for gems.

In addition to Rhodolite garnets, named for the native Rhododendron that grows across the mountains, the property has six other minerals – Corundum, which is Ruby and Sapphire, Kyanite, Moonstone, Smokey Quartz, Garnet, and Cordierite (a form of Iolite).

At Mason Mountain Mine customers become friends and friends become family!

THE GEM MINE HOURS 2023

Mason Mountain Mine Flume

MAR. – OCT. 2023

Aug. 17 = CLOSED

Sunday – CLOSED
Monday – 9am-5pm
Tuesday – 9am-5pm
Wednesday – CLOSED
Thursday – 9am-5pm
Friday – 9am-5pm
Saturday – 9am-5pm

NOV. – DEC. 2023

Nov. 1 – 7 = CLOSED
Nov. 23 = CLOSED
Dec. 23 – 31 = CLOSED

Sunday – CLOSED
Monday – CLOSED
Tuesday – 10am-3pm
Wednesday – CLOSED
Thursday – 10am-3pm
Friday – 10am-3pm
Saturday – 10am-3pm

Jan. & Feb. 2024

Closed For The Month

OPENING DAY 2024

Mar. 1, 2024

Gift Shop

Looking for that special souvenir? When you stop by our gift shop our friendly staff will happily assist you. As you browse our shop, you will find gems and minerals from our property, surrounding areas and from all over the world. Whether you are looking for jewelry, T-shirts, hats, specimens, toys, or home decor you can find it in our gift shop.

watermelon rubies

Reviews

Excellent
Based on 197 reviews
Kala Bundy
Kala Bundy
January 23, 2023
We stopped in unexpectedly for an extra vacation activity. Not only was this staff beyond friendly. From the time we got out of the car to finishing our experience gem mining. John was a delight. He makes this experience totally about the kids and continues to interact with all of their findings. We spent an hour and a half and not once felt rushed, and actually learned a lot from John. His passion alone made the experience. Highly recommend it’s worth it.
Matthew Phelps
Matthew Phelps
November 16, 2022
Great place to spend the day. Very friendly and a fun experience.
Jim Schmishma
Jim Schmishma
October 29, 2022
Been to the mine 5 times in 2 years. Fun for whole family. Staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. Save your money for the Cowee Gift Shop. Don't spend your hard earned money downtown. Will return again next year. And prolly the next. Thank you to John and all the staff.
Binulal Balakrishnan
Binulal Balakrishnan
September 27, 2022
👍🏻👍🏻cool place
T Quinn
T Quinn
September 21, 2022
Drove into town specifically to visit Cowee Gift Shop and Mine. It did NOT disappoint. We spent over 4 hours going through the native buckets and then purchased one saltes bucket when our 6-year-old ran out of patience. The staff is very helpful. We were thrilled with our finds. We are over 2 hours away but will definitely make another trip out!
John H. Tyte Sr.
John H. Tyte Sr.
August 10, 2022
Great place to stop and shop! Courteous employees.
Cathy K
Cathy K
August 5, 2022
Had a great time while visiting the area. The staff members were very friendly & helpful. Tom cut a topaz for me & I’m extremely pleased by what a great job he did! Received it when it was expected as well.
Kaitlynn Taylor
Kaitlynn Taylor
August 3, 2022
Best value for what they offer and gems you can find! Very friendly staff and owners!

Gem Cutting

GEM CUTTING

Tom teaches gem cutting lessons throughout the season.

Cutting demo lesson: $150.00

All lessons are by appointment only. ​To schedule a lesson call (828) 421-1457

jewelry

At Mason Mountain Mine you can have your treasures turned into jewelry that will last forever. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you in identifying which findings would best make into gemstone jewelry. A wide selection of mountings from rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets help customers design that unique piece of jewelry.

Pricing of cutting and mountings vary depending on the size of stones and whether mounts are silver and gold.

watermelon rubies

gem mining

Our native dirt pile where your gem mining experience begins. Native dirt from the private mine site located atop Mason Mountain is brought down to this pile for miners to sift through. Soil samples from this location indicate a wide variety of minerals including Rhodolite Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Kyanite, Moonstone, Cordierite and Smoky Quartz.

Our experienced staff will guide you in how to discover native material. We have a gemstone chart available to help you identify your findings as well. Just place the dirt in the screen and rinse thoroughly. Concentrate on material that is smooth, heavy and has color. Until you become familiar with the native material, be sure to have our staff help you in the beginning.

ALL DAY DIG From Our Native (Unsalted) Dirt Pile: $40

Super Buckets

To ensure gems are discovered, miners can purchase enhanced buckets that have gems added to the native dirt. This will guarantee a find of additional minerals.

These buckets are many of our miners’ favorites!

  • $30.00 super average 4-6 pounds of gems
  • $50.00 super average 10 pounds of gems
  • $100 super average 20 pounds of gems
  • $300 super averages 50 pounds of gems

Barrels

For our avid rockhounds, we offer barrels that range from $500.00 to $1,500.00

​These barrels are said to “Rock your world” as a rockhound.

Once your mining is completed at the flume line, be sure to take your findings into the gift shop for identification by the shop staff. The staff will select any findings that could be cut and made into jewelry. We offer cutting and jewelry making for our customers. Our turn around time ranges from 3-8 weeks depending on the season.

We Ship Dirt

Can’t make it during our season? ​No worries, we ship dirt all over the United States.

$30.00, $50.00 and $100.00 buckets for shipping.

(S/H subject to change based on shipping location.)

Call (828) 421-1457 to have dirt delivered to your front door!

Events

Reservations are required for all Mine and Super Supper Bucket events. Please call (828) 421-1457 to reserve your spot.

Mine Event – Super Supper Bucket Event

Private Guided Mine Excursion
2 Hours
Must be 18 years old
Please call (828) 421-1457 to make a PAID reservation.
Cost $200 per person per event.

Emergency Services Night

Saturday, June 3
6 pm – 10 pm
Call for details

Night Mining

July 8
7 pm – 11 pm
All rates apply
No reservations needed

Customer Appreciation Day

October 14
9 am – 5 pm
No reservations needed

Mine Event – Super Supper Bucket Event

Private Guided Mine Excursion
2 Hours
Must be 18 years old
Please call (828) 421-1457 to make a PAID reservation.
Cost $200 per person per event.

Emergency Services Night

Saturday, June 3
6 pm – 10 pm
Call for details

Night Mining

July 8
7 pm – 11 pm
All rates apply
No reservations needed

Customer Appreciation Day

October 14
9 am – 5 pm
No reservations needed

Our Location

We are conveniently located 5.5 miles north of Franklin, NC in the Cowee Valley of Macon County.

We sit nestled against Mason Mountain along Hwy 28 North between Franklin and Bryson City.

All Rights Reseved © 2023 | Cowee Gift Shop and Mason Mountain Mine