Join McCoy Minerals for hands-on rock hounding adventures, gemstone hunts, gold panning, cave tours, live gemstone cutting demonstrations, and special seasonal events throughout the year. Our guided experiences are designed for all ages and skill levels—perfect for families, collectors, and anyone who loves gemstones, fossils, and the outdoors.
Search for rubies, sapphires, aquamarine, gold, citrine, jade, moonstone, and more while learning about geology, mining, and gemstone identification along the way. Many tours visit private locations not normally open to the public, making every trip a unique adventure.
Visit the shop for live gemstone cutting events where you can watch rough stones transformed into sparkling finished gems right before your eyes, ask questions, and learn about the lapidary process from our in-house team. Throughout the summer, enjoy special events like our Oyster Pearl Party, gemstone giveaways, educational experiences, family-friendly activities, and more exciting surprises.
May 15th
11 am - 2 pm
Gemstone Cutting Demonstration
Watch a rough stone transform into a sparkling gemstone right before your eyes using real lapidary equipment and techniques. You’ll get an up-close look at the cutting process, learn how gemstones are shaped and polished, and even have the chance to ask questions while the cutting is happening.
🎉 At the end of the demo, we’ll raffle off the finished gemstone!
This is a great stop for families, rock lovers, jewelry fans, and anyone curious about how gemstones are made.
FREE EVENT
June 7th
10 am - 3 pm
Propst Ruby Farm
Join McCoy Minerals for a guided adventure to the historic Propst site, where you’ll search for natural North Carolina rubies, sapphires, and aquamarine and take home your discoveries.
Perfect for beginners and experienced rock hounds alike, this hands-on tour offers a unique outdoor experience with expert guidance.
Tour Details: We meet at 3668 Startown Rd, Maiden, NC, at 10 AM, with parking at the dig site. This is a high-impact red-clay dig.
Please come prepared with old clothing, a change of clothes, sunscreen, a shade source, water, digging tools, and a bucket for collecting.
$40 cash per person—kids 10 and under are FREE with a paid adult.
June 12th
11 am - 2 pm
Gemstone Cutting Demonstration
Watch a rough stone transform into a sparkling gemstone right before your eyes using real lapidary equipment and techniques. You’ll get an up-close look at the cutting process, learn how gemstones are shaped and polished, and even have the chance to ask questions while the cutting is happening.
🎉 At the end of the demo, we’ll raffle off the finished gemstone!
This is a great stop for families, rock lovers, jewelry fans, and anyone curious about how gemstones are made.
FREE EVENT
June 19th
11 am - 4 pm
Oyster Opening Pearl Party
Pick your oyster… We’ll crack it open for you… and reveal your very own cultured Akoya pearl
No two are the same—and the color is always a surprise
Saltwater-grown = higher quality
Nearly perfectly round
Incredible luster
Every oyster has at least one pearl…Some even have twins!
Choose your experience:
Single oyster opening
Oyster + necklace gift box
$19.99 and up
June 21st
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Father's Day Kids' Trip
Celebrate Father’s Day with a fun, family-friendly outdoor adventure! Join McCoy Minerals for a special Kids Rock Hound Trip, where families can explore, dig, and discover beautiful natural stones like citrine, jade, and moonstone.
This guided experience is perfect for all ages and is designed to create lasting memories in the great outdoors.
Tour Details: We will meet at 9:30 AM at 731 Laurel Branch Rd, Vilas, NC. This location is private property, and guests are asked not to arrive before the scheduled tour time.
What to Bring: Please come prepared with a collection bucket, hand shovel, rake, bug spray, water shoes, clothing that can get wet and dirty, a change of clothes, a towel, water, sunscreen, and a shade source.
$40 Cash, Kids 12 and under are FREE with a paid adult.
July 12th
7:45 am - 1:30 pm
Sampson Gold Panning
Join McCoy Minerals for an exciting gold panning adventure and experience the thrill of searching for gold, citrine, topaz, and sapphire in a beautiful creek setting. This guided tour includes a scenic hike down to a private panning location, where guests will learn techniques for finding natural treasures and take home everything they discover.
Tour Details: Meet at McCoy Minerals at 7:45 AM, with departure from the parking lot at 8:00 AM. The dig site is located on private property, and the address will not be released.
Important Info: This tour involves a moderate hike downhill to the creek.
What to Bring: Please come prepared with old clothing, a change of clothes, sunscreen, a shade source, water, digging tools, and a bucket for collecting. McCoy Minerals will provide gold pans and collection bottles.
$40 cash per person—open to kids 7 and up, kids 12 and under are FREE with a paid adult.
July 24th
11 am - 2 pm
Gemstone Cutting Demonstration
Watch a rough stone transform into a sparkling gemstone right before your eyes using real lapidary equipment and techniques. You’ll get an up-close look at the cutting process, learn how gemstones are shaped and polished, and even have the chance to ask questions while the cutting is happening.
🎉 At the end of the demo, we’ll raffle off the finished gemstone!
This is a great stop for families, rock lovers, jewelry fans, and anyone curious about how gemstones are made.
FREE EVENT
July 26th
10 am - 3 pm
Propst Ruby Farm
Join McCoy Minerals for a guided adventure to the historic Propst site, where you’ll search for natural North Carolina rubies, sapphires, and aquamarine and take home your discoveries.
Perfect for beginners and experienced rock hounds alike, this hands-on tour offers a unique outdoor experience with expert guidance.
Tour Details: We meet at 3668 Startown Rd, Maiden, NC, at 10 AM, with parking at the dig site.
This is a high-impact red-clay dig.
Please come prepared with old clothing, a change of clothes, sunscreen, a shade source, water, digging tools, and a bucket for collecting.
$40 cash per person—kids 10 and under are FREE with a paid adult.
August 9th
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Vilas Flood Deposit
Join McCoy Minerals for a fun, family-friendly rock hounding experience in the High Country! Search for beautiful natural stones like citrine, jade, and moonstone while enjoying a hands-on outdoor adventure perfect for all ages.
Tour Details: We will meet at 9:30 AM at 731 Laurel Branch Rd, Vilas, NC. This location is private property, and guests are asked not to arrive before the scheduled tour time.
What to Bring: Please come prepared with a collection bucket, hand shovel, rake, bug spray, water shoes, clothing that can get wet and dirty, a change of clothes, a towel, water, sunscreen, and a shade source.
$40 Cash per person, Kids 12 and under are FREE with a paid adult.
August 14th
11 am - 2 pm
Gemstone Cutting Demonstration
Watch a rough stone transform into a sparkling gemstone right before your eyes using real lapidary equipment and techniques. You’ll get an up-close look at the cutting process, learn how gemstones are shaped and polished, and even have the chance to ask questions while the cutting is happening.
🎉 At the end of the demo, we’ll raffle off the finished gemstone!
This is a great stop for families, rock lovers, jewelry fans, and anyone curious about how gemstones are made.
FREE EVENT
September 11th
11 am - 2 pm
Gemstone Cutting Demonstration
Watch a rough stone transform into a sparkling gemstone right before your eyes using real lapidary equipment and techniques. You’ll get an up-close look at the cutting process, learn how gemstones are shaped and polished, and even have the chance to ask questions while the cutting is happening.
🎉 At the end of the demo, we’ll raffle off the finished gemstone!
This is a great stop for families, rock lovers, jewelry fans, and anyone curious about how gemstones are made.
FREE EVENT
September 13th
9 am
Wild Cave Tour with Appalachian Caverns
Explore beneath the surface on this unforgettable Wild Cave Tour through Appalachian Caverns. This guided adventure takes you into rarely seen areas of the caverns, offering a unique, hands-on experience for those ready to explore the underground world.
This tour is open to all ages and includes opportunities to navigate natural cave formations, with optional tight spaces and tunnels for those looking for an extra challenge. Please note there is an area with deep water, and participants should be prepared to get wet and muddy.
This is a learning-focused trip, with collecting limited to stones found on the ground surface.
Tour Details: Meet at 9:00 AM at 420 Cave Hill Rd, Blountville, TN.
What to Bring: Please come prepared with clothing you don’t mind getting wet, muddy, or possibly torn, along with a change of clothes and a towel.
$40 Cash per person
