Masons Branch, Macon County, North Carolina, USA

Blebs of massive pink rhodolite pyrope are dispersed throughout this 3x2 1/2 inch matrix. In the Creekmur collection.

© Charles Creekmur

Size: 28mm x 18mm x 14mm Lavender-purple rounded Rhodolite garnets in grey white unknown material.

© Keith F Compton

Photo of corundum specimen showing typical hexagonal crystal. A quarter (24 mm) used for scale.

5.1 x 4.9 x 2.1 cm. A very rarely seen example of the old classic rhodolite garnets from Masons Branch, North Carolina. There are many localities for rhodolite in North Carolina, but it's very difficult to find specimens from this particular locality. This piece features beautiful purplish-red colored crystal sections of rhodolite measuring up to ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

A 3.8 carat pink sapphire. It is 9mm across and has a 3mm width. This is a popular commercial locality. Field collected May 2011.

5.1 x 4.9 x 2.1 cm. A very rarely seen example of the old classic rhodolite garnets from Masons Branch, North Carolina. There are many localities for rhodolite in North Carolina, but it's very difficult to find specimens from this particular locality. This piece features beautiful purplish-red colored crystal sections of rhodolite measuring up to ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

5.1 x 4.9 x 2.1 cm. A very rarely seen example of the old classic rhodolite garnets from Masons Branch, North Carolina. There are many localities for rhodolite in North Carolina, but it's very difficult to find specimens from this particular locality. This piece features beautiful purplish-red colored crystal sections of rhodolite measuring up to ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

Corundum specimen weighing approximately 4 grams (20 cts). A quarter (24 mm diameter) is used for scale.

5.1 x 4.9 x 2.1 cm. A very rarely seen example of the old classic rhodolite garnets from Masons Branch, North Carolina. There are many localities for rhodolite in North Carolina, but it's very difficult to find specimens from this particular locality. This piece features beautiful purplish-red colored crystal sections of rhodolite measuring up to ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

White, columnar, crystalline mass of sillimanite without matrix. There is some ambiguity about the locality - the dealer's label says 'Mason Mine, Marble, Macon Co, NC' - any advice is welcome. Purchased from David Shannon in 1991.

© Andrew Hodgson

The sluicing area offering plenty of seating. Notice the big yellow sign and what it states. Please see my #3 article titled "Ruby and Sapphire Hunting in Franklin, North Carolina".

We arrived at the site late in the day Please see my #3 article titled "Ruby and Sapphire Hunting in Franklin, North Carolina".

Walking through the parking area, you can see the red clay soil on the far hillside. This is the placer deposit. Please see my #3 article titled "Ruby and Sapphire Hunting in Franklin, North Carolina".

A litter closer view of the deposit. The hillside is very steep. Native soil is dug at the bottom. Please see my #3 article titled "Ruby and Sapphire Hunting in Franklin, North Carolina".

From here you can see the parking area, the office, the sluicing area and the foot bridge. To the very far right is the ice cream wagon. We were sitting on the picnic bench weighing our options. Please see my #3 article titled "Ruby and Sapphire Hunting in Franklin, North Carolina".

As the sign states...only paid customers are permitted in this area. Here is the small foot bridge crossing the creek and the placer deposit just beyond. Please see my #3 article titled "Ruby and Sapphire Hunting in Franklin, North Carolina".

A collapsed mine shaft is located at the base of the high wall in the background.

Digging up new material to be placed in the customer digging area.

The small backhoe and the primary digging area in the Franklin Mason Mine.

Shaft timber found near where the main shaft was located. It dates from the 1890's and is hand hewn.

The flume at the Mason Mine. Lots of fun here.

Rhodolites, rubies and sapphires are found by prospecting rockhounds in the gem mines of Franklin, N. C.”, ca. 1970. Vintage picture postcard, photographer Aerial Photography Servicees, Inc., Charlotte. G. Grundmann collection.

© Aerial Photography Servicees, Inc., Charlotte.