Smoke Hole Caverns / Moonshine Mining Company
Approximate — check official site before visiting
The premier gemstone panning and mining attraction at Smoke Hole Resort in the mountains of West Virginia. Over 50 different gemstone varieties and 30 different fossil types in their mining rough bags. No two bags are ever alike.
🌐 Visit Official Site →🪨 What You Can Find Here
Amethyst
Purple quartz crystals found in geodes and pegmatites. Notable sources include Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
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Ruby
Red corundum, one of the world's most precious gemstones. North Carolina's Cowee Valley and Franklin area are known US sources for rubies found in public mining operations.
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Emeralds
North Carolina's Hiddenite region is the only place in North America where emeralds are found naturally.
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Quartz Crystals
Clear, smoky, and rose quartz crystals are among the most common and rewarding rockhounding finds. Arkansas produces world-class quartz.
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Fossils
From shark teeth in Florida to dinosaurs in Montana, the US offers world-class fossil hunting for all skill levels.
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Garnets
Deep red almandine garnets are found in many states. Idaho's star garnets are among the rarest in the world.
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📍 Nearby Locations in West Virginia
West Virginia Fossil Beds
Valley Head, West Virginia · Public Land
Road cuts and exposures for Carboniferous plant fossils, marine fossils, and occasional flint/chert specimens.
West Virginia Lithographic Limestone
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia · Public Land
Greenbrier County limestone beds for high-quality lithographic stone and fine fossil specimens.
Greenbrier County Flint Beds
Lewisburg, West Virginia · Public Land
Greenbrier limestone exposures for flint/chert nodules and Mississippian marine fossils. The Greenbrier Valley is rich in geological history.
Harpers Ferry Area Quartz
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia · Public Land
Potomac River and Shenandoah River gravels for quartz pebbles and other rocks. The area's metamorphic geology produces interesting specimens.
Devil Anse Gem Mine
Matewan, West Virginia · Fee Dig
The first gem mine operation on the Hatfield McCoy ATV trail system. Covered mining facility open rain or shine, 7 days a week. Guarantees gem finds i...
Seneca Caverns Gemstone Mining
Riverton, West Virginia · Fee Dig
Purchase a bag of mining rough from the gift shop and head to the water sluice to sift for treasures. Larger buckets priced at $30, $50, and $70 for s...
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Smoke Hole Caverns / Moonshine Mining Company with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35