If It's Franklin - It's Time For The Franklin Faceters Frolic!

Roy Kersey and Will Smith started the idea for the Faceters’ Frolic in 2007 and the first Frolic was held during the Summer 2008 Gem Shows in Franklin, NC.

This year the 5th Annual Franklin Faceters Frolic will be a two-day event on Friday July 27th & Saturday 28th of 2012 at the Fun Factory.


Highlights include:
> two GemCad Classes offered by the creator of GemCad, Robert Strickland. Starting at 9AM, Robert will offer a Beginner Class, which will go until Noon. At 1 PM he will start another GemCad Class for Intermediate/Advanced level students. This will be your chance to learn from the Master.
> a fabulous line up of dealers is available on the FFF5 website, dealers will start offering items for sale at 1PM on Friday. Dealers will be available all day on Saturday. 
> and the great list of Demos from equipment manufacturers grows every year.


Program Features Include:
>  from the home of Topaz - "Selecting & Faceting Topaz" by Diane Eames GG, past president of Texas Faceters Guild
> "Faceting for Competition" by Dr. Howard Bromley, the new USFG Editor and the newest member of the USA Team competing in 2012 Australian International Faceting Challenge

Special Guest and Premiere Unveiling:


"NEW GemRay for Windows" by Robert Strickland the creater of GemCad and GemRay. Robert will show how it works and go over things you need to know. It is a powerful addition to GemCad.


Whether you are a beginning faceter or an advanced cutter this is your opportunity to talk to the man who wrote the book (or should that be program?)...and get up close and personal in two GemCad Classes!


So take a moment to check out the Franklin EZ-Guide and add the Frolic to your schedule!

Make it a Gemmy Summer in Franklin, NC…

Whether you are a rockhound, geologist or you just love the beauty Mother Nature provides…you must, just once in your lifetime hit the scene in Franklin.

Curious? take a minute to download the online edition of the Franklin EZ-Guide and see if there isn’t something that catches your attention.

With maps of the area, dining suggestions, show dates and hours, vendor lists and more Gem Show EZ-Guides are the choice of travelers and attendees across the country…why?   …because “we know the shows”.

The EZ-Guide describes it this way: “During the summer months rockhounds and tourists converge on the tiny town of Franklin, North Carolina to attend gem shows, do some fluming at the local gem mines, and simply spend their vacations in this stunningly beautiful area at the southern foothills of the great Smoky Mountains. There is plenty to do for everyone who comes to Franklin and Macon County, but rockhounds who come to this area know that it is one of the only places in the world where it is not rare on a casual hike in the hills—if you know what you’re looking for—to return home with a pocketful of precious stones, even rubies, sapphires and garnets! This is what makes Franklin, truly, the Gem Capital of the World.”

…and for those looking for something to do outside the show, the Chamber of Commerce offers these options: “Whether you’re looking for high adventure, fun places for the kids, beautiful scenery, a week on the greens, or the natural wonders of the Smoky mountains, Franklin provides a multitude of wonderful activities. For lovers of gems and minerals, you won’t want to miss the open-to-the-public gem mining in and near Franklin and the amazing collection at the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum.

The Chamber provides a monthly Calendar of Events for some ideas of ways to spend your time during your stay in Franklin, North Carolina – home of mountain treasures and simple pleasures.”

See you in Franklin?

Franklin Gem & Mineral Shows: Gem Mining in Macon County

Gem Mining in Macon County

May 5th, 2010

If you are a rock hound visiting Franklin (also known as both the “Gem Capital of the World” and the “Ruby City”) fluming at a local gem mine is a must. Most gem mining in the North Carolina mountains is found in Franklin and in the Cowee Valley north and west of Franklin. Most of the mines have a powered water sluice where you can sift through the dirt and rock, called fluming, as you prospect for rubies, gold, amethyst, aquamarine, sapphires, garnets and many other types of stones.

At some of these mines, visitors search for minerals from the creekbeds, while others sell buckets of stream sediment for washing and sieving at a flume. Some of the mines offer digs for native minerals only, while others offer “enriched” stream sediment, which contains minerals from other parts of the state or world. Admission fees may be charged per bucket or per the hour, depending on the mine, so call ahead for details.

The world’s largest star rubies have been found in the Cowee Valley. This entire area is a gem hunter’s heaven.

Visit these gem mines while you’re in the area . . .

Blue Ridge Gem Mines, 11197 N. US 19 Soco Gap, Maggie Valley, 828-926-8488.

Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine, 41 Cherokee Mine Road off Ruby Mine Road, Franklin, 828-349-2941.

Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine, 6771 Sylva Rd. & 441 N, Franklin, 828-369-5271.

Gem Mine at Gem World, 1884 Georgia Rd., Franklin, 828-349-5411.

Gold City Gem Mine, 9410 Sylva Rd. & Highway 441, Franklin, 800-713-7767.

Jackson Hole, Hwy. 28 & US 64, Franklin, 828-524-5850.

Mason Mountain Mine & Cowee Gift Shop, 5315 Bryson City Rd., Franklin, 828-524-4570.

Mason’s Ruby & Sapphire Mine, 6961 Upper Burningtown Rd., Franklin, 828-369-9742.

Nantahala Gorge Ruby Mine, 11900 US 19/74 West, Bryson City, 828-488-3854.

Old Pressley Mine, Exit 33 off I-40, Canton, 828-648-6820.

Rose Creek Mine, Gift & Rock Shop, 115 Terrace Ridge Dr., Franklin, 828-349-3774.

Sheffield Mine, 385 Sheffield Farms Rd., Franklin, 828-369-8383.

Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine, Cherokee, 828-497-6574.