The only emerald mine in the country open to the public to dig: at Hiddenite, North Carolina you sluice, creek or hand-dig for real emeralds, plus the rare green spodumene called hiddenite that was first found in this very ground, sapphire, garnet and more. Pay by the method and keep whatever you find.
Emerald, hiddenite
See it on the map
Other places on the map within a couple of hours.