Franklin, una pequeña ciudad ubicada en el estado de Nueva Jersey en los Estados Unidos, es famosa por sus minas de zinc. Conocidas como las «Minas en Franklin», estas minas han sido una importante fuente de recursos durante más de dos siglos. Además de su valor histórico y económico, estas minas también son un destino turístico popular para los viajeros interesados en la geología. En este artículo de nuestro blog de turismo, exploraremos más a fondo las minas en Franklin, su historia y lo que puedes esperar ver si decides visitarlas.
Minas en Franklin
1. Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
The Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine is a must-visit if you’re looking to explore the rich history of Franklin’s mines. We spent almost four hours here digging for gems and it was completely worth it, despite the fact that we did get dirty and our backs were sore! The guys working there were super friendly and helpful, guiding us to the spots where certain gems had been found recently. We found several rubies, sapphires, and moonstones, and had an amazing time throughout the entire process. We’re definitely planning on returning soon!
One of the best things about this mine is that you can dig for yourself, tour, or have the workers dig for you. If you’re short on time or have a physical condition, they have options like a standing wash basin and even a dark room where they can double check your finds with a UV light – this proved instrumental in finding a 2.75 ct Sapphire that would have gone unnoticed otherwise. We highly recommend this place for anyone who enjoys learning about gems or minerals and hope that they will soon open up primitive campsites for an all-day excursion!
The owner of the mine, Zack, is very knowledgeable and passionate about his work, providing two buckets per person for sifting in the creek or digging from a prospect. He also takes care of a sweet goat named Walter. On top of all this, the prices for the cut gems are reasonable – we had one of our finds made into a cabochon at Ruby City Gems in Franklin and it turned out to be a gray star sapphire finished at 2.15 carats. The jeweler told us that he sells those types of stones for about $300 per carat. We can’t wait to visit again soon and highly recommend this mine to anyone looking for a fun and educational experience.
2. Rose Creek Mine
Rose Creek Mine, located in Franklin, is an excellent spot for families to experience the adventure of mining. This well-maintained mine offers a variety of buckets to choose from, ranging from pre-filled, to fill-your-own, to salted buckets with specific minerals and gems. The owners are super friendly, and it is a joy to spend time in the mine, surrounded by beautiful flowers and lots of birds. The best part of the experience is finding out what gemstones you will discover in the bottom of your bucket. Whether you are a gemstone collector, a family looking for an exciting activity, or someone seeking a unique souvenir to take home, Rose Creek Mine is the right place for you.
Another advantage of Rose Creek Mine is that the owners are passionate about mining and are knowledgeable about the gems and stones you will find. They will happily answer any questions you have and even sort and label the stones for you. This personalized attention makes the experience even more enjoyable. Furthermore, the prices are very reasonable, and you are guaranteed to leave with some lovely stones. As a teacher, I especially appreciate the educational aspect of the mine. It is a unique opportunity for students to learn about geology and mineralogy by seeing firsthand how gemstones are formed.
One potential disadvantage of Rose Creek Mine is that, if you decide to fill your own bucket, you might not find as many larger stones. In this case, it might be a good idea to choose a salted bucket to guarantee a few larger stones to take home. Nonetheless, Rose Creek Mine is a highly recommended spot for any family looking to experience the rich history of mining in Franklin. It is an authentic place where you can learn about a fascinating industry while having a blast.
3. Mason’s Ruby & Sapphire Mine
Si lo que buscas es tener una experiencia de minado única y emocionante, Mason’s Ruby & Sapphire Mine es una excelente opción en Franklin. Desde el momento en que llegamos, el personal nos recibió con amabilidad y paciencia, enseñándonos todo el proceso para encontrar los tesoros que esperábamos hallar. Aunque puede ser un poco difícil de encontrar, no es imposible llegar al lugar y la espera es sin duda recompensada. Mientras trabajábamos duro, ya que el minado es un trabajo pesado, la alegría de encontrar hermosos rubíes y zafiros nos llenó de satisfacción. Definitivamente es algo que recomendaría incluir en la lista de cosas por hacer.
La experiencia de rubíes y zafiros del Mason es muy relajante y divertida. Te proveen con cubos vacíos y puedes rellenarlos con la tierra y las rocas del lugar, lo que permite que puedas buscar por ti mismo. Es una experiencia que recomiendo para su relajante ambiente y preciosas vistas, aunque no es el lugar indicado si buscas algo más comercial. El personal es muy amable y te da ciertas herramientas para encontrar los rubíes y zafiros, lo que los hace parte fundamental de la experiencia.
Aunque puede no ser para todos, la mina Mason’s Ruby & Sapphire es una experiencia única. Es cierto que los rubíes y zafiros no están garantizados y que puede llevar algo de tiempo y esfuerzo encontrarlos, pero vale la pena la emoción de buscar y encontrar algo que valga la pena en su lugar de origen. El personal es amable y servicial, y aunque el lugar puede estar fuera de lo común, la belleza natural que lo rodea es impresionante y un escape perfecto de la vida de la ciudad. Sin embargo, es importante tener en cuenta que hay otras opciones más accesibles económicamente.
4. Old Cardinal Gem Mine
Our visit to Old Cardinal Gem Mine was a delightful experience overall. The family who operates the mine was very warm and welcoming, especially the two young siblings, Morgan and Isaiah, who were extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. Although the mine is fairly small and lacked the opportunity to dig our own dirt, we were able to find a variety of native stones and gems. The ambiance was also quite charming, with chickens roaming around us while we sifted through dirt, and a comforting fire burning in the background. The only downside was the lack of cleanliness around the area, which could use some tidying up. Nonetheless, we had a great time and would definitely visit again with friends.
We enjoyed our visit to Old Cardinal Gem Mine immensely, despite some minor setbacks. The $40 embellished bucket, although pricey, provided us with a handful of nice gemstones, but some confusion ensued as we sifted through many random rocks, which was quite disappointing. We couldn’t help but compare this experience to our previous visit to the Rose Creek Mine, where we had a much larger yield of high-quality gems for the same price. However, we appreciated the friendly owners and their quirky pet chickens, although it would have been nicer if they had less debris and shipping containers surrounding them. All in all, if Old Cardinal is the only option available, we would recommend it. However, if possible, we recommend visiting Rose Creek Mine for a more fulfilling experience.
Our absolute favorite thing about our visit to Old Cardinal Gem Mine was the lovely family who operated the mine. The owner and her two grandchildren, who appear to be quite knowledgeable and mature beyond their teenage years, were extremely helpful and welcoming, making our visit a memorable experience. They provided us with thorough explanations of every gemstone we found and were an overall pleasure to be around. Additionally, we were pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality of gemstones we found, despite only using pre-filled buckets of dirt. The only complaint we had was the messiness of the surrounding area, but with all the recent rainfall, it’s understandable. We recommend visiting this mine if you’re in the area and are looking for a friendly, enjoyable gem-hunting experience.
5. Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine
If you’re looking for a fun and unique adventure in Franklin, Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine is a must-visit stop. The knowledgeable staff and beautiful scenery make for an enjoyable experience while sifting through dirt in search of valuable gems. It’s also great to hear that the staff is willing to educate visitors on how to identify different raw stones, which is a valuable skill for future rockhounding trips.
One thing we absolutely love about Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine is the sentimental value it holds for some of its visitors. As one reviewer mentioned, they’ve been visiting this mine with their family since they were a child, and recently inherited a collection of gems from their late mother as a tribute to her love of gemstones. It’s clear that Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine holds a special place in many people’s hearts, which only adds to the overall experience.
While some reviewers did mention a few minor drawbacks, such as a disinterested staff member or the need to bring your own lunch, the overall consensus is that Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine is a highly recommended stop for gem enthusiasts of all ages. With its reasonable prices, impressive gem selection, and helpful staff, it’s no wonder this mine has become a beloved destination for both locals and visitors alike.
6. Sheffield Mine
Si bien hay una variedad de opiniones sobre Sheffield Mine, nuestra experiencia fue muy positiva. Nos encantó poder seleccionar entre los buckets de tierra autóctona o los coloridos Rainbow Buckets, lo que nos permitió encontrar gemas locales o de todo el mundo. El personal fue muy amable y servicial, e incluso nos recomendó un lugar para cortar nuestras piedras preciosas. Además, el precio fue muy razonable, especialmente considerando que estábamos buscando gemas auténticas.
Sin embargo, algunas críticas mencionaron que encontrar gemas puede ser difícil, y eso es porque es suelo directo de la mina. No es una garantía encontrar algo valioso, pero esa es la emoción de la búsqueda. Como entusiastas de las gemas, disfrutamos el proceso de lavar y tamizar, y nos emocionó encontrar piedras preciosas reales, aunque fueran pequeñas. También es importante destacar que el lugar puede ser un poco fangoso después de la lluvia, y el acceso a la mina es un camino de un solo carril, por lo que recomendamos manejar con precaución.
En general, recomendamos Sheffield Mine para los amantes de las gemas y aquellos que buscan una experiencia divertida y única. Es divertido para toda la familia, aunque significa ensuciarse un poco las manos. Los precios son razonables, la vista es hermosa, y es un lugar auténtico y real para encontrar gemas que no pueden ser compradas en una tienda. Siendo una de las mejores minas en la zona, es definitivamente un lugar que exploraremos de nuevo en nuestro viaje de regreso a Franklin.
En conclusión, esperamos que este artículo haya despertado su curiosidad por la rica historia de las minas en Franklin. Hay tantos secretos por descubrir y aventuras por vivir. Si usted tiene alguna sugerencia o experiencia que le gustaría compartir con nosotros, no dude en ponerse en contacto con nosotros. Sería un placer escuchar sus historias y añadir su conocimiento a nuestro blog de turismo. ¡Esperamos oír de usted pronto!
