
10/08/2025
In 1973, the North Carolina legislature adopted the emerald as the state’s official gemstone—a sound choice, as North Carolina is the only place in North America with significant emerald deposits. It’s yielded both the continent’s largest emerald crystal—1,438 carats—and its most expensive cut emerald, a 13.14-carat stunner valued at $100,000. At Crabtree mine on the first weekend in May, a band of avid gem and mineral aficionados has convened to search for that green glimmer.
Read about the North Carolina rockhounds - what they are looking for and how often they find it - up on our site, linked in the comments.
📷: