In 2021, 14.6 million Gatlinburg, Tennessee, saw 14.6 million visitors. Gatlinburg is the place to stay and tour when on vacation. It’s close to Dollywood and has the beauty of the Smoky Mountains in its backyard.
When you are in Gatlinburg, one road where nearly every tourist attraction known to man is on is the Parkway. On the Parkway, you can find attractions, restaurants, and lodging.
One attraction I will focus on today is truly a hidden gem called the Old Smoky Gem Mine.
What Is the Old Smoky Gem Mine?
The Old Smoky Gem Mine is a place where you can mine gems. Does that mean they give you a hard hat and a pickaxe while taking you to the mine? Sadly, no, but that would be a pretty sweet adventure though!
They give you a buck full of dirt (and hidden gems!) where you get to sift (they provide all equipment) using the water trough to find your treasures.
After you’ve sifted your entire bucket, you will sit with one of the employees here. They will then sort your gems on a sheet that lets you know what each gem is called. You can ask as many questions as you’d like. The employee can tell you all about them.
How Much Does it Cost?
Old Smoky Gem Mine prices will differ depending on the size bucket you get. When I visited in 2020, prices ranged between $35-$75.
Doing a bit more research on what pricing is today, pricing starts at $35 and goes up. This price is to mine your gems to keep; this doesn’t include anything else.
Where On the Parkway Is It Located?
The Old Smoky Gem mine address is 968 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. It is situated right across from Ober Gatlinburg.
If you are having trouble locating them, call them at (865) 436-7112. They are open daily between 11 am to 8 pm.
Can Old Smoky Gem Mine Make Gems Into Jewelry?
You have all the gems that you could ever want. Now, you want some jewelry made from these precious gems. That’s fantastic news because they do that at Old Smoky Gem Mine. The price for jewelry is not included in the mining price. It is a separate charge. The charge will depend on what type of jewelry and what cut of gem you are doing.
You will not get your piece of jewelry on the same day. Old Smokey Gem Mine will have you fill out a form with your name, address, phone number, and what jewelry you are purchasing. They will then send you your jewelry in the mail in about 4 weeks.
Need More Southern Tennessee Attractions?
Now that you know about gem mining, you can add it to your list of things to do while in Gatlinburg. If you need more recommendations, whether it is for lodging, dining, or other attractions in and around Gatlinburg, don’t forget to check out my Southern Tennessee trip guide.
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