The associates answered all questions with knowledge and eagerness to share it. The crystals were…read morevery cool but the fossils really blew my mind! To me every fossil is one of a kind, so seeing some of the prices for them being so low was insane too! I held a lot in my hands I'm not sure if they changed their rules but another review stated you couldn't hold things. You're definitely allowed to it's just a "you break it you buy it" deal and that's stated everywhere. We asked why we couldn't take pictures of the ocean jasper and they were very open with the reason and it's definitely fair! Ask them yourselves, it's an interesting story. Yeah there are many fossils out there but none exactly like another so as low 5$ you can walk out with a one of a kind piece of history! I got a few little cheaper fossils that were awesome gifts, but I got a giant megalodon tooth and I'm blown away it's an amazing store. I will tell anyone I know passing through NC Asheville or near to DEFINITELY not miss out on seeing what they have to offer.

The window display drew me into this gemstone and minerals shop in the Grove Arcade. Many fine…read moreexamples of fossils, crystals and gemstones. I wanted to touch everything! However, there were signs on every shelf and surface not to touch anything. And that's probably why I didn't buy anything, even though I felt like a kid in a candy store. If I could have put my hands all over everything, I guarantee I would have bought so much! Some very beautiful ocean jasper. (Signs posted not to take pictures of the ocean jasper)

Great shop featuring natural stones and minerals. Beautiful settings for rings, necklaces,…read more bracelets and more. Many things to choose from at good value! Andy is very helpful.

Mostly pricey but good quality specimens. (There are more affordable items also). Very…read moreknowledgeable staff. Always worth the stop!

We have been gem mining in many places over the years and we found Asheville's Best Gem Mine to be…read morethe BEST! The owners are sooooo knowledgeable and Holly's excitement over each gem is contagious! It was a great value too - an excellent amount of gems in our $25 buckets. What wonderful people. Can't wait to come back!

My little family was looking for something to do with our 4-year-old while on our way to visit…read morefamily. We were warmly welcomed by a patient and knowledgeable Holly. Holly and her trainee were both helpful and very kind. Every time my son wanted his rocks looked at and identified they came right over, shined a light on them, and got him excited about having found something very special. They have a wide selection of buckets at different price points. We did the smallest kid bucket because of time, plus we've done this once before somewhere else and what we got from that other gem mine was not totally worth it. Totally different experience here. Our bucket was full of lots of gems and our son was pleased to get so many from the card. Dalmatian jasper, petrified wood, pink quarts, an emerald, crystal point, amethyst, garnet, pyrite, and more. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and my son was engaged, happy, and eager to show everyone his gems. Thank you for the time and experience! I know we'll make a point of returning on the next drive up - my son wouldn't let us forget!

What a total gem of a shop! Everyone here was awesome, happy to answer any questions you might…read morehave. They have gorgeous displays and lots of different gemstones to peruse. The even have a small museum of things I got their mystery eggs and loved what it sas packed full of! All the gemstone glitte.

Shhh.. don't tell anyone. There isn't going to be a 10 carat ruby/sapphire/diamond hidden in that…read morebucket of dirt. But nothing is more fun than watching little kids try so hard to find one, especially in a place with all the COVID precautions needed to keep everyone safe. We had a fantastic time at Crystal Mountain. The "mine" is well set up with all sorts of crystals and stones on display and available for purchase. On the right side of the shop is a sluice that runs roughly 30 feet. If you head into the back of the mine, you will see fossils and other unusual finds. After walking around a bit, we decided to go with the green bucket to split between our two girls and used an online coupon to save a few bucks on it. The green bucket comes with all those little extras, including a geode, that kids find so important. The very kind and well informed owner/manager of Crystal Mine carried our bucket to the sluice and showed our girls how to find those special stones. He gave us several bags to hold their treasures and then left us to 'mine' for gems. Our girls cried out over every little find. They especially loved anything quartz. The owner came to check on us and showed the girls how to tell what kinds of gems they were finding. We filled up four bags with various kinds of stones including a huge geode. Once the bucket was empty, our girls looked over the store and the owner helped them make their own necklaces. We appreciated how mindful he was of expense. Each one cost just $6 when all was said and done and yet he made our girls feel as if they were wearing Cartier. The best moment came when he cracked their geode. In an unexpected bit of good luck in rotten 2020, the big geode turned out to be two geodes. Each one cracked to reveal a cavern of crystals and our girls were simply thrilled. The owner wrapped each one in paper so they could take their geodes home. Our kids had such a good time in this gem mine. It filled them with wonder, something I want for them every day. Much of the credit goes to the owner/manager. He made every moment into an experience... even if we didn't find that 10 carat sapphire.

Super super cool activity to do with friends or family!! Went with three friends, we split the $100…read morefamily bucket between us and it was a really good deal for the insane amount of cool stuff we got from it. The whole experience is cool, especially at the end where the lady at the desk examines the gems you found. 100% recommend!!

What a fun experience! We got the $45 bucket and found all kinds of good stones. Very friendly,…read morehelpful staff. Definitely a must do.

I was skeptical going to this place but its chill. They've got buckets at any price point you can…read moreimagine, packed with gems ... the store is not gigantic but packed with stones of any size and price point you can wish for ... and they have a bar with beer, wine and thc. Great find off the beaten path

My boys had the best time today. First they went shopping in the unbelievable gem store with so…read moremany selections and then they each went mining and found great gems. There was indoor mining with a heater on which was much appreciated in the cold weather . The Staff was very friendly and helpful. Great pricing too!

We had a blast at Gem Valley! I took my 4 year old nephew and 2 year old daughter and it was…read moreeverything we expected and more. The people working were super helpful and fun! We will definitely be back!

We really enjoyed our time at gem valley. The staff was attentive and kind; they really looked…read moreafter us. We bought a $50 bucket and shared it between our family of five. We found some beautiful gems and minerals. They have several options for sifting, a clean port-a-John on the premise, and beautiful scenery. Great outing for families!

This place was such a hidden gem! (Get it?). Family owned and ran, they were so friendly and…read moreknowledgeable about each stone we found. Sam even took the time to separate all the valuable stones from the rest and had them bagged and ready for us. Lots of options to fit into any price range. Definitely recommended!!!

The workers were super knowledgeable and kind. We loved hearing his stories as we sifted through…read moreour buckets. We got two buckets for twelve dollars each and we are taking home a bunch of goodies!

The people who own it are very nice. Good selection of gems and it's just extremely relaxing.read more

Fun, fun, fun + more fun! Coco is a fantastic tour guide!…read moreMine is a great escape from a crazy world!

This is one of my favorite jewelry stores. They have the most unique, contemporary pieces from…read moreacross the US. Shopping here is like walking through an art gallery. The staff is as lovely as the jewelry itself. I have a number of pieces from Mora and constantly get compliments on them wherever I go! Highly recommend checking out this little gem when visiting Asheville!

I purchased a beautiful pair of apatite and silver earrings from Mora a couple months ago and…read morediscovered when I wore them that one was missing a stone. I communicated with Marthe and the entire repair process went perfectly. Marthe was wonderful to deal with and assured me immediately that "of course" they would replace the missing stone. I mailed the earring to her and had it back, beautifully repaired, within ten days. Mora has beautiful and unusual jewelry and I never miss an opportunity to visit when I'm in Asheville -- and to make a purchase! Marthe is the perfect representative of Mora's many and multi-cultural jewelry designers/makers. I can't wait to visit the shop the next time I'm in town.