Hiddenite Hiddenite is a pale-to-emerald green variety of spodumene that is sometimes used as a gemstone. The first specimens of the hiddenite variety of spodumene were recovered about 1879 near the tiny settlement of White Plains, west of Stony Point, A ...

, North Carolina, United States, is a centre for the mining of gemstones. Three larger mines found there are Adams Mine, NAEM and the Emerald Hollow Mine. They are collectively known as the Hiddenite Gem Mines.

Discovery

The first discovery of the hiddenite stone was made in 1879 by W. E. Hidden. Samples were sent to Dr. J. Lawrence Smith in Louisville, Kentucky, who determined that the stone Hidden had collected was

spodumene Spodumene is a pyroxene mineral consisting of lithium aluminium inosilicate, Li Al( Si O3)2, and is a source of lithium. It occurs as colorless to yellowish, purplish, or lilac kunzite (see below), yellowish-green or emerald-green hiddenite, pri ...

. The variety was given the name

hiddenite Hiddenite is a pale-to-emerald green variety of spodumene that is sometimes used as a gemstone. The first specimens of the hiddenite variety of spodumene were recovered about 1879 near the tiny settlement of White Plains, west of Stony Point, A ...

. Emeralds had earlier been found during ploughing in 1874.

Emerald Hollow Mine

One of the major mines in the county is the Emerald Hollow Mine. This a public gem mine located in the Piedmont of North Carolina in Alexander County, specifically in the town of Hiddenite. At the mine, more than 63 different types of gems and minerals can be found including

emerald Emerald is a gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green by trace amounts of chromium or sometimes vanadium.Hurlbut, Cornelius S. Jr. and Kammerling, Robert C. (1991) ''Gemology'', John Wiley & Sons, New York, p ...

amethyst Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the Koine Greek αμέθυστος ''amethystos'' from α- ''a-'', "not" and μεθύσκω (Ancient Greek) / μεθώ (Modern Greek), "intoxicate", a reference to the belief that t ...

sapphire Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide () with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. The name sapphire is derived via the Latin "sapphir ...

, aquamarine,

topaz Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al Si O( F, OH). It is used as a gemstone in jewelry and other adornments. Common topaz in its natural state is colorless, though trace element impurities can mak ...

garnet Garnets () are a group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. All species of garnets possess similar physical properties and crystal forms, but differ in chemical composition. The different s ...

, as well as the stone Hiddenite, which is a stone only found in this local area. The ways in which gems can be uncovered in this mine are by sluicing, creeking, or digging. Sluicing is the process of taking a small amount of dirt or soil removed from the mine and sifting through it with a stream of running water known as a sluiceway. As the dirt is washed down the trough, the larger pieces of gems, minerals, and other stones are left in the sifter. Digging in permitted areas allows for visitors of the mine to dig into the earth to search for veins that may contain gemstones. The use of the creek is a major part of the mine. Guests are allowed to enter the mountain creek water to search for valuable stones.The Alexander County Mapbook, ACHS GIS, 2007. The mine has an on-site lapidary shop where visitors’ gem stones can be cleaned, finished, and made into jewelry.Hiddenite Gem Mines
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Rist Mine (North American Emerald Mine)

Another major mine is the North American Emerald Mine (NAEM), operated privately. Previously known as Rist Mine, this is a location mined by James K. Hill who is the founder of North American Emerald Mines Inc. At the mine more than of emeralds have been found, estimated value US$9 million. For excavating the stones, large, modern, and professional equipment is used to unearth the gems hidden deep within the pits of the NAEM.

Emeralds found

In 1969, an emerald of was uncovered, the largest yet found in North America. The stone was named the Stephenson Emerald in honor of John A. D. Stephenson, a late 19th-century collector instrumental in the discovery of the first North Carolina emerald and the first world discovery of hiddenite. In 2003, a larger emerald was uncovered at the NAEM by Jamie Hill. It was and valued at over one million dollars. In 2006, NAEM unearthed a yet larger emerald, said to be 10 inches in length.

Adams Mine

Also located in the hills of

are the Adams mine, formerly known as the Warren mine, the Emerald & Hiddenite mine, the Turner mine, and the Hiddenite mine.

Other discoveries

In 1882, an emerald crystal of was discovered. At the time, this was largest emerald crystal ever found in North America. However, it was stolen from the

American Museum of Natural History The American Museum of Natural History (abbreviated as AMNH) is a natural history museum on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. In Theodore Roosevelt Park, across the street from Central Park, the museum complex comprises 26 inter ...

, NY, in 1950 and never recovered. In 1971, approximately of emeralds were found the area. Some of these stones are now displayed in the Smithsonian. A recent large discovery occurred in 1980 when over 1,500 hiddenite crystals were found in a large underground vein pocket.

References

{{coord, 35.9137, -81.0830, region:US-NC_type:landmark, display=title Buildings and structures in Alexander County, North Carolina Mines in North Carolina Gemstone mines Tourist attractions in Alexander County, North Carolina