Gem mining

Franklin sits on one of the richest gem fields in the country. Rubies and sapphires come out of the ground here.

This is the thing about Franklin that surprises first-time visitors. The valley is genuinely gem-bearing — rubies, sapphires, garnets and more have been mined here commercially, and the town has called itself the Gem Capital of the World for a long time.

How it works

Most mines sell you a bucket of gravel and a spot at a flume — a long trough of running water with a screened box. You wash the dirt away and see what’s left. Some mines salt their buckets with stones from elsewhere; others sell native dirt only, which is less flashy and more honest. Ask which you’re buying.

Good to know

It’s wet, muddy work and it takes longer than you expect — budget a couple of hours. Bring a change of clothes, especially for kids. Most mines can cut and set anything worth keeping, or point you to someone in town who will.

There’s also the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum in the old jail downtown, which is free and worth twenty minutes before you decide where to dig.

This content is actively being updated with the specific mines we send guests to.

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