North Carolina Gemstones: ruby, sapphire, emeralds and gold
The Crabtree Emerald Mine. The Crabtree Emerald Mine in western North Carolina was the first commercial source of emeralds in the United States. There, a pegmatite dike about five to six feet in width cuts the country rock. Bright green emerald crystals are found on the edges of the dike where it encounters the country rock. In the center of the dike, the beryl crystals are yellow heliodor.