Reader Submitted Article/About the Author
This article was submitted by Amanda Tyler McGuire, a Hickory resident with a passion for supporting local businesses and sharing family-friendly activities. When she’s not busy dancing or planning her next adventure, you can find her volunteering at the Catawba Science Center or at her children’s schools.
Emerald Hollow Mine is truly a special place, located in the quaint town of Hiddenite, North Carolina. Interestingly, Hiddenite isn’t just the town’s name—it’s also the name of a rare green gemstone found there. In fact, Hiddenite gemstones are so rare that some argue true hiddenite can only be found in Hiddenite, NC. This exclusivity ranks them as the fourth rarest gemstone in the world.
Hiddenite is a green variety of the mineral spodumene, first discovered in Alexander County in 1879. The discovery was brought to the attention of William Earl Hidden, who had been commissioned by Thomas Edison to search for platinum sources. In his honor, the mineral was named “hiddenite,” and the town was eventually renamed as well.
Though similar in color, hiddenite and emeralds are different—emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl. The area around Hiddenite is rich with gemstones; you may also find aquamarine, sapphire, garnet, topaz, amethyst, citrine, rutile, and tourmaline. Notably, the largest emerald ever found in North America—an astounding 1,869 carats—was discovered here. Another famous find, the “Carolina Emperor,” is a cut emerald weighing 64 carats and remains the largest cut emerald ever discovered in North America.
Three Ways to Hunt for Treasures
What sets Emerald Hollow Mine apart is the variety of ways visitors can hunt for minerals. Each experience offers something different:
1. Sluicing
Sluicing is a great option for all ages and can be done rain or shine. Under a covered sluiceway (with heated water!), you wash through a bucket of ore enriched with gemstones from around the world. It’s a fun and relaxing way to uncover both local and global treasures. We’ve done this ourselves—yes, even in the rain!
2. Creeking
If you’re up for a bit more adventure, try creek mining. You’ll be given a sluice box and nylon trowel to sift through sediment in the creek bed. While you can’t bring metal tools or large buckets (over a gallon), you can bring your own small tools. Kids especially love this part—it’s hands-on, messy, and full of exploration.
3. Digging
For the true adventurer, digging is the way to go. It starts with a short ¼-mile walk to the dig site, where you pick your spot and dig to your heart’s content. Once your bucket is full, head back to the sluiceway to wash and see what you’ve found. You can repeat this process as many times as your energy allows.
We’ve tried all three activities with our kids. Each of them has visited Emerald Hollow Mine on school trips, enjoying either sluicing or creeking. For my son’s 10th birthday, we took all three of our children and his best friend to do the full dig. Watching them explore, plan their dig spots, and enthusiastically dig holes was one of those parenting moments I’ll never forget. (Pro tip: use smaller buckets—10-year-olds can dig fast, but carrying those full buckets back is another story!)
Beyond the Mine: Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center
While you’re in town, be sure to check out the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center, housed in the historic Lucas Mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features a museum, art gallery, artisan gift shop, and even hosts private tea parties. You can also rent the porch and gazebo for special events.
Hiddenite offers all the charm of a small town, with a truly unique mix of history, art, and adventure. And who knows—you might just stumble upon the largest hiddenite crystal ever found.
For more information, visit:
- www.emeraldhollowmine.com
- www.hiddenitearts.org
- Or check out the Hiddenite Wikipedia page