Things You Need To Know About
Mining In Cowee Valley   

   The most frequently asked questions are:

       A.  What do I need to bring with me? 
             Answer:  Nothing but a healthy appetite for adventure and something to eat
                            &  drink.  Everything is provided for you at no extra cost.

       B.  How should I dress? 
             Answer:  Dress comfortably but do not wear good clothing; afterall, you
                            will be washing dirt in a flume or is it playing in the flume.
     
        C.  How expensive is it?
             Answer:  The cost varies  at different mines but you will be pleasantly
                            surprised at  how little it cost at the  Cherokee Mine ( $6.00 to mine
                            and $.75 cents per bucket of dirt).

       D.  Is the dirt at Cherokee Mine "Salted"?
             Answer:   "ABSOLUTELY NOT"!!!  Mrs. Effie is proud to say that every bucket
                             of dirt used at the Cherokee Mine and every gemstone found in that dirt
                              comes from her corporation's property just beyond the flume.

        E.  What is the mine's operating schedule?
              Answer:  The Mine is open 7 days a week from the last Saturday in March
                             until the last Saturday in October and the hours are 8 AM- 5 PM.

   
         F.   Is their an age limit on mining? 
               Answer:  No age limit, however, parents with small children are asked to watch
                              them very closely and to keep them from crossing to the other side of
                              the flume where they could accidently be struck by rock being cast
                              aside by other miners .           
             
       
         G.   Are pets allowed near the mining area?
                Answer:  Yes, but all pets are to kept near the owner's car or beside his person.
                               Pets are "not" to run free during the miners stay at Cherokee.                
       
       
        H.   Where do we take our gemstones to be appraised and or cut?
                Answer:  There are several Lapidaries in and around Franklin that can help. 
                               I especially like and trust Bob at Cowee Valley Lapidary.  His
                               Lapidary is close to many of the mines, especially Cherokee.