Whether hunting for celestial wonders in Big Sky country, rounding up cattle in the Wild West, or slurping oysters on the ...

The mine was acquired by the American Gem Corp. in 1994, according to a Gem Mountain brochure. Digging for rough sapphires is arranged for a fee, with half-day or full-day digs available.

In Western North Carolina, rockhounds have plenty of opportunities to dig for gems, if they don’t mind getting a little dirty, and maybe a little wet.