What to do and see in Franklin, North Carolina (NC): The Best Gift & Specialty Shops

Tom and Ginger Johnson own and operate the mine and shop. The mine has grown over the years to provide you with the best environment for all your rockhounding needs. We offer full access for the handicap to enjoy all the fun as well. Check in at the gift shop for instructions to our access road, so you can drive right down to the flume. At our gem mine we offer strictly native dirt at the dig pile, plus enriched buckets and all the best help so you can start finding gems right away! In our gift shop we carry a wide variety of snacks and drinks to keep you going. There is also a nice deli nearby if you need a little extra and for the really hungry, Franklin is only 12 minutes away. We also have a wide range of rough specimens from all over the world as well as from our "back yard" which is literally our mountain where the mine site is located. You will see many different types of gold and silver mountings and jewelry already manufactured from our jewelry bench that will astound most folks. So stop on in if you can, we will be happy to see you even if it's just to say hi and catch up on things!

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 5pm. NC's largest Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Store & Museum.Franklin NC's largest and oldest Jewelry store & one stop crystal shop est. 1958. Largest selection of 14k & sterling silver, diamond & gemstone jewelry. Loose gemstones & Diamonds. 1000's of healing stones, rough and natural gems for cutting polishing & collecting. Gem carvings and home decor. "Real" Gem cutting and jewelry making services, ring sizing and repair all done onsite by experts with over 40 years experience. Rock Tumblers & grit, Gem cutting equipment and supplies. Fossils, Specimens, Gold panning & gem mining equipment, gem buckets and bags. MUSEUM of local gems as well as around the globe. World's largest Sapphire, shrunken head, largest privately held pre-columbian artifact collecting in the USA. Cool black light glow in the dark room. Very Educational!

Great place, the largest mine with 40 acres of gem mine area and 1600 feet of frontage on a major 4 lane Highway 441. We have a large digital sign and a 4500 sq ft building for operation spring, summer, fall and winter mining. You will loved the inside interior hand made wood design and the outside mountain air at 3500 feet elevation

Established in late 1999, the owner’s vision for the Whistle Stop Depot was to create a place where visitors can see and touch history through the years. This vision has become the most unique shopping experience under one roof! Whistle Stop Depot is located in the beautiful town of Franklin, a place that is rich with culture and heritage, and can be found on the southern side of the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Nestled at the base of the Cullasaja Gorge, three miles from Franklin and 12 miles from Highlands, in an old school house setting. Whistle Stop is a destination to see. Hope to see you there! The beautiful 16 space R.V. Park is nestled behind the Whistle Stop Depot. A quiet setting surrounded by mountains. Family and pet friendly . We take pride in our low nightly , monthly and yearly rates. Come check it out! We look forward to making your camping experience enjoyable.

Fox Mercantile is your hometown Western, Work and Fashion Outfitter and we offer a wide variety of leather footwear from brands like Dansko, Red Wing, Danner, Carolina, Wesco, Whites, and many more! We also have apparel from Ariat, Wrangler, Riggs, and Dickies Workwear.

Millie's Used Books has the largest selection of used books in town! We have hardcover, paperback, and 1st editions in every genre. We also carry a selection of local interest books, DVD's, audio books, and puzzles to enhance your vacation and/or travel experience!