1. Diamond Hill Mine – Excellent Paid Dig<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"how](\"https:\/\/rockseeker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/clear-quartz-crystals.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe Diamond Hill Mine<\/a> is a paid dig in South Carolina, and it\u2019s a great place to find gemstones. It would be my first option if I planned to head through the state and stop for rockhounding since paid digs neatly cut through the legal issues surrounding mineral collection by putting you in a good spot that you know<\/em> is legal to collect from.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe main finds here are various types of quartz<\/a>, mainly clear quartz and smoky quartz with some amethyst sprinkled in. The property itself is open to you once you\u2019ve paid your fee, including about 6 acres of mine tailings. This is where most people head, trying to find the crystals that have been missed when the soil was upturned with heavy equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019re also free to try and find veins on the property if actual mining is your jam. While quartz is the main variety of stone found, there\u2019s also been some finds of others including beryl and epidote. These are much rarer and not guaranteed finds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a tourist, your best bet is to head here and check it out. It\u2019s straightforward and uncomplicated. There are also far fewer rules than you\u2019d find at most paid digs. It\u2019s a cool spot, and well worth the visit if you happen to be in the state for a short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Greenville Gemstone Mine – A Unique Tourist Attraction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"](\"https:\/\/rockseeker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Greenville-Gemstone-Mine.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhile those in need of a more authentic experience will probably want to skip it, the Greenville Gemstone Mine is an accessible way to find a variety of gemstones. This one is a bit different from the average paid dig, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At its most basic, the Greenville Gemstone Mine is a bit of a tourist attraction. They set you up for flume mining on their property for a fee, and then you take the dirt you\u2019re given and get to it! There\u2019s a large variety of gemstones found in this dirt, but it is \u201csalted\u201d which can take away from the experience for some. They appear to do their best to gather the stones from the local area, but they admit that\u2019s not always possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They claim to have a variety of more than 40 gemstones. I\u2019m a bit skeptical, as their FAQ also lists granite and mica among the gem materials, but there are definitely varieties of beryl and corundum in there for those with an interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While not quite as awesome as pulling stones from the earth yourself, this location is great for kids or those who don\u2019t have the physical stamina to get out in the field in a more active way. It\u2019s worth a closer look, check out their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Spartanburg County – Tourmaline and More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"tourmaline](\"https:\/\/rockseeker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/south-carolina-tourmaline.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAmong the regions in South Carolina, Spartanburg County is renowned for it\u2019s tourmaline. Other gemstones appear in the region as well for those interested, and there are a ton<\/em> of quarries in the county that make it a bit easier for the prospective rockhound.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere are quite a few private claims in this part of the state, a quick look reveals that the majority of good hunting locations are going to be on private property. That said, the streams and rivers that run through the area inevitably cut through public land<\/a> and are a great place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere\u2019s enough tourmaline<\/a> in the region that commercial mining has taken place, leading to the wealth of claims and private land where minerals have been found. Start with finding public access land<\/a> and work from there. There are quite a few active clubs in the state, you can check on this list<\/a>.. As always, clubs can be a huge help in local areas but they\u2019re really only applicable if you\u2019re a native to the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpartanburg County is replete with areas to look at if you can navigate the public versus private land issues that plague rockhounds. Most trails in the area for hiking are also near spots where stones can be found if you fancy a bit of adventure with just a side of rockhounding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Anderson County- Beryl var. Aquamarine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"mining](\"https:\/\/rockseeker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aquamarine-gemstone.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAndersen County is another great area to take a look for gems. The most prized stones in this area are light blue beryl, otherwise known as aquamarine<\/a>. The gemstones appear to be scattered around the county a bit, and information can be a bit scarce.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe tiny town of Pelzer is a good place to get started. Since gems have never really been mined commercially in South Carolina, you\u2019re more likely to find them in river beds or other places where water has cut through stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The beryl in this area usually shows up as pegmatites. When you\u2019re out digging you want to look for these rounded nodules. Breaking them apart carefully can reveal the gems you\u2019re looking for. The stones in this area also occur in schist<\/a>, limestone, and most of the other bedrocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere are no guarantees, but if you\u2019re in the area then public land is worth looking for. Doubly if it has access to a river. It\u2019s just a matter of learning where the good spots are, especially since the gemstones can occur in a wide variety of stones in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Tigerville Prospect, Greenville County – Zircon<\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe Diamond Hill Mine<\/a> is a paid dig in South Carolina, and it\u2019s a great place to find gemstones. It would be my first option if I planned to head through the state and stop for rockhounding since paid digs neatly cut through the legal issues surrounding mineral collection by putting you in a good spot that you know<\/em> is legal to collect from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main finds here are various types of quartz<\/a>, mainly clear quartz and smoky quartz with some amethyst sprinkled in. The property itself is open to you once you\u2019ve paid your fee, including about 6 acres of mine tailings. This is where most people head, trying to find the crystals that have been missed when the soil was upturned with heavy equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re also free to try and find veins on the property if actual mining is your jam. While quartz is the main variety of stone found, there\u2019s also been some finds of others including beryl and epidote. These are much rarer and not guaranteed finds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a tourist, your best bet is to head here and check it out. It\u2019s straightforward and uncomplicated. There are also far fewer rules than you\u2019d find at most paid digs. It\u2019s a cool spot, and well worth the visit if you happen to be in the state for a short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While those in need of a more authentic experience will probably want to skip it, the Greenville Gemstone Mine is an accessible way to find a variety of gemstones. This one is a bit different from the average paid dig, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At its most basic, the Greenville Gemstone Mine is a bit of a tourist attraction. They set you up for flume mining on their property for a fee, and then you take the dirt you\u2019re given and get to it! There\u2019s a large variety of gemstones found in this dirt, but it is \u201csalted\u201d which can take away from the experience for some. They appear to do their best to gather the stones from the local area, but they admit that\u2019s not always possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They claim to have a variety of more than 40 gemstones. I\u2019m a bit skeptical, as their FAQ also lists granite and mica among the gem materials, but there are definitely varieties of beryl and corundum in there for those with an interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While not quite as awesome as pulling stones from the earth yourself, this location is great for kids or those who don\u2019t have the physical stamina to get out in the field in a more active way. It\u2019s worth a closer look, check out their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the regions in South Carolina, Spartanburg County is renowned for it\u2019s tourmaline. Other gemstones appear in the region as well for those interested, and there are a ton<\/em> of quarries in the county that make it a bit easier for the prospective rockhound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are quite a few private claims in this part of the state, a quick look reveals that the majority of good hunting locations are going to be on private property. That said, the streams and rivers that run through the area inevitably cut through public land<\/a> and are a great place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s enough tourmaline<\/a> in the region that commercial mining has taken place, leading to the wealth of claims and private land where minerals have been found. Start with finding public access land<\/a> and work from there. There are quite a few active clubs in the state, you can check on this list<\/a>.. As always, clubs can be a huge help in local areas but they\u2019re really only applicable if you\u2019re a native to the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spartanburg County is replete with areas to look at if you can navigate the public versus private land issues that plague rockhounds. Most trails in the area for hiking are also near spots where stones can be found if you fancy a bit of adventure with just a side of rockhounding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Andersen County is another great area to take a look for gems. The most prized stones in this area are light blue beryl, otherwise known as aquamarine<\/a>. The gemstones appear to be scattered around the county a bit, and information can be a bit scarce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tiny town of Pelzer is a good place to get started. Since gems have never really been mined commercially in South Carolina, you\u2019re more likely to find them in river beds or other places where water has cut through stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The beryl in this area usually shows up as pegmatites. When you\u2019re out digging you want to look for these rounded nodules. Breaking them apart carefully can reveal the gems you\u2019re looking for. The stones in this area also occur in schist<\/a>, limestone, and most of the other bedrocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are no guarantees, but if you\u2019re in the area then public land is worth looking for. Doubly if it has access to a river. It\u2019s just a matter of learning where the good spots are, especially since the gemstones can occur in a wide variety of stones in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Greenville Gemstone Mine – A Unique Tourist Attraction<\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n3. Spartanburg County – Tourmaline and More<\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n4. Anderson County- Beryl var. Aquamarine<\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n5. Tigerville Prospect, Greenville County – Zircon<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rockseeker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/red-beryl.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n