Pay-to-Dig Gem Mines in the United States
Pay-to-dig gem mines charge a fee to dig or to buy buckets of mine rough that you wash in a sluice. Prices, seasons and what you may keep vary by mine, so call before you go. We list 17 in 8 states; most are in North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia.

Verify before visiting. Hours, fees, access and collecting rules change, and some listings come from community-edited data. Call or check the operator's official page before you go. Details we could not confirm are marked "call to confirm".
Arkansas (3)
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Pay-to-dig gem mineMurfreesboro, AR · OpenStreetMapRon Coleman Mining
Pay-to-dig gem mineJessieville, AR · the operator's official websiteWegner Quartz Crystal Mines
Pay-to-dig gem mineMount Ida, AR · the operator's official website
California (1)
Oceanview Mine (Pala)
Pay-to-dig gem minePala, CA · the operator's official website
Georgia (1)
Crisson Gold Mine
Gold panning Pay-to-dig gem mineDahlonega, GA · the operator's official website
Michigan (1)
Gem Mining Attraction (Oceana County, MI)
Pay-to-dig gem mineOceana County, MI · OpenStreetMap
Montana (2)
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
Pay-to-dig gem minebetween Hamilton and Philipsburg, MT · the operator's official websiteSpokane Bar Sapphire Mine
Pay-to-dig gem mineHelena, MT · the operator's official website
New York (1)
Herkimer Diamond Mines
Pay-to-dig gem mineHerkimer, NY · the operator's official website
North Carolina (6)
Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
Pay-to-dig gem mineFranklin, NC · the operator's official websiteElijah Mountain Gem Mine And Crystal Store
Pay-to-dig gem mineHenderson County, NC · OpenStreetMapEmerald Hollow Mine
Pay-to-dig gem mineHiddenite, NC · the operator's official websiteGem Mountain Gemstone Mine
Pay-to-dig gem mineSpruce Pine, NC · OpenStreetMapThe Rocks Gemstone Mining
Pay-to-dig gem mineChatham County, NC · OpenStreetMapVein Mountain Gold Camp & Carolina Emerald Mine
Pay-to-dig gem mineMarion, NC · OpenStreetMap
Virginia (2)
Gem Mining Sluice (Loudoun County, VA)
Pay-to-dig gem mineLoudoun County, VA · OpenStreetMapMorefield Gem Mine
Pay-to-dig gem mineAmelia County, VA · OpenStreetMap
FAQ
How many pay-to-dig gem mines are listed?
17 across 8 states. The states with the most are North Carolina (6), Arkansas (3), Virginia (2).
What should I know before visiting?
Pay-to-dig gem mines charge a fee to dig or to buy buckets of mine rough that you wash in a sluice. Prices, seasons and what you may keep vary by mine, so call before you go.