Facets of Foscoe
Facets of Foscoe
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
7 within 3 miles
Attractions
61 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
65 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
7
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
6
Sherry M
64 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
The team was very good. We had a great time. At the end they sat with us and went through our stones. Explaining all we had. We took them next store and are having one carved and they are mailing it to us. One if the best we have been to. Thanks guys.
Written May 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tristan M
2 contributions
Nov 2021 • Family
This place is awesome. My family has been coming here every time we visit the area for vacation. There are many gem places in the area, but nowhere else compares to the quality and quantity of stones you find here. DuBois is extremely knowledgeable and friendly as well. There is no other place that compares to here!
Written November 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve K
Raleigh, NC20 contributions
May 2021
Honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy this much, as we primarily scheduled to do this for my daughter. I was wrong! My wife and I had a blast too! We paid a little extra for the 2nd biggest bucket. It was worth it! He found a lot of different stones/gems. At the end, they taped down the stones on a gridded poster so we can see/identify exactly what we found. It was a lot of fun! As an aside, right next door to it, there is a rather impressive jewelry/gem store.
Written May 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura G
Sanford, NC20 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
While on our honeymoon we thought we would enjoy a little relaxing activity as we had been hiking, riding the motorcylce and whitewater rafting.
After looking at the reviews we choose this mining company.
We were welcomed by a young gentleman who was very helpful in helping us decided between the different buckets. We ended up purchasing the 14oz ($54) bucket - as he said there were better gems in it, a geod and we thought it would take us a little longer.
He walked us up the trail, warning watch your step - they husband wasnt paying attention and about face planted. We then found a seat at the sifting area and began to sort. We quickly noticed there were two size strainers!!! I had a fine mesh one and my husband had a bigger one that small stones could easily slip through.
We were able to pick out the big and medium size stones, and set the small rocks to the side as there were some gems that were worth sorting through. The husband also placed the larger sifter over the finer sifter so I could go through the small rocks while he did the big one.
Wear clothes you dont mind getting a little dirty as the water may splash or your arms may end up covered in mud. (at least ours did)
We found a ton of large gems and were able to take it to the facetor. He was able to cut two beautiful pieces from blue sapphire.
Absolute day of fun and cannot wait to come back!
After looking at the reviews we choose this mining company.
We were welcomed by a young gentleman who was very helpful in helping us decided between the different buckets. We ended up purchasing the 14oz ($54) bucket - as he said there were better gems in it, a geod and we thought it would take us a little longer.
He walked us up the trail, warning watch your step - they husband wasnt paying attention and about face planted. We then found a seat at the sifting area and began to sort. We quickly noticed there were two size strainers!!! I had a fine mesh one and my husband had a bigger one that small stones could easily slip through.
We were able to pick out the big and medium size stones, and set the small rocks to the side as there were some gems that were worth sorting through. The husband also placed the larger sifter over the finer sifter so I could go through the small rocks while he did the big one.
Wear clothes you dont mind getting a little dirty as the water may splash or your arms may end up covered in mud. (at least ours did)
We found a ton of large gems and were able to take it to the facetor. He was able to cut two beautiful pieces from blue sapphire.
Absolute day of fun and cannot wait to come back!
Written June 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly B
309 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
We happened to pass this place when we were going to the dollar store and decided to check it out. We went on Saturday and was not very busy.
The staff is helpful and seem to enjoy themselves.
There are 5 different bucket sizes and prices: $16, $26.5, $53, $106, $212. We got two $53's for a group of about 10 and it was more than enough. It took about an hour to get through the bucket. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and muddy.
Basically, you go through the bucket and put the dirt in the water to filter the gems. It felt as though they put specific rocks/stones in the size bucket that you buy. We got a few Geo's. After you are finished sifting through the bucket, there is a person near the entrance who puts your rock findings on a chart to tell you what you found. Emeralds, ect.
The really cool part is that if you go next door most of the beautiful gems that they sell and the gentleman told me that most of the gems they sell are from the Facets of Foscoe!
Pretty cool!
The staff is helpful and seem to enjoy themselves.
There are 5 different bucket sizes and prices: $16, $26.5, $53, $106, $212. We got two $53's for a group of about 10 and it was more than enough. It took about an hour to get through the bucket. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and muddy.
Basically, you go through the bucket and put the dirt in the water to filter the gems. It felt as though they put specific rocks/stones in the size bucket that you buy. We got a few Geo's. After you are finished sifting through the bucket, there is a person near the entrance who puts your rock findings on a chart to tell you what you found. Emeralds, ect.
The really cool part is that if you go next door most of the beautiful gems that they sell and the gentleman told me that most of the gems they sell are from the Facets of Foscoe!
Pretty cool!
Written September 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria F
Miami, FL6 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
So this was the first time we went gem mining and we were expecting a tourist trap. Couldn’t be farther from the truth. This was SO much fun. We bought the $106 bucket which was filled with sapphires, rubies, citrines, aquamarines, topazes, and even a pink sapphire.The staff was amazing, they patiently sat with the children time and time again going through their sifts and telling them all about what they mined. Then, we went downstairs and received a chart where the gems were taped. This is actually amazing because you don’t lose the gems and the kids can revisit their “treasure.”
The most fascinating part was going next door to see Matt. He turned our not-so-pretty rocks into beautiful gems. He may be the most patient person I have ever met. He dealt with these three crazy Miami girls until going through each of our stones to see what we could do. I don’t know the actual value of these but will be visiting my local jeweler. However, they’re gorgeous. The kids had fun, and we did too. So much so that we went back for another $106 buckets two days later.
Today, We visited another gem mine that had higher ratings than this one. (Yes, now we’re hooked) The kids had a blast because they found a lot of colorful rocks but the adults were disappointed. Quality of stones does NOT compare to Foscoe. Not even close.
The most fascinating part was going next door to see Matt. He turned our not-so-pretty rocks into beautiful gems. He may be the most patient person I have ever met. He dealt with these three crazy Miami girls until going through each of our stones to see what we could do. I don’t know the actual value of these but will be visiting my local jeweler. However, they’re gorgeous. The kids had fun, and we did too. So much so that we went back for another $106 buckets two days later.
Today, We visited another gem mine that had higher ratings than this one. (Yes, now we’re hooked) The kids had a blast because they found a lot of colorful rocks but the adults were disappointed. Quality of stones does NOT compare to Foscoe. Not even close.
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara B
Statesboro, GA26 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
We love this place! From the great prices, actual gem mining experience, beautiful rare gems and chart which shows what gems you foind, to the jewelry maker next door who is ready to cut and set the stones. Great for families or couples!!!
Written June 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much! We love making people smile.
Written June 16, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patcat60
wilmington, United States16 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Don’t go!! It was the worst gem mining place ever. It was nothing but a bucket of dirt. The water was so dirty you could not wash what few gems we found. We bought the $53.00 bucket and we finally found a few “gems” in the very bottom. I finally found a house with clean water to wash my hands. Tourist trap. The only good part was the young man that helped us at the end. He was very nice and pleasant to talk to.
Written June 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia,
My name is Matt and I am the manager here at the Greater Foscoe Mining Company. Please give me a call at your convenience 828-963-5928. I would like to know more about your experience and see what I can do to make it right.
Written June 2, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DiveProvo
southaven, ms53 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
Stopped here back in June while on vacation and had a great time. Will try some of the other gem mines in the area next time but can't say anything bad about this place.
Written March 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa_in_NC
Winterville, NC18 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
My family & I went based on the price and we were staying close. First we went to pay for our bucket. The young man behind the counter did not feel the need to wait on us until he finished sending his text. He looked up briefly, saw us standing there and continued texting. After finally paying, we went up to get the bucket. The same guy brought us out a bucket of 90% clay dirt. It was ridiculous. This was not what we were use to. We went through a gallon bucket in 5 minutes between 3 of us. My 5 year old gave up after getting clay all over himself. We went down and another young man helped sort out our few rocks, which was nice. The other guy continued texting on his cell phone the entire time. We asked where we could wash up. Instructed to go next door. We went and the place was closed up like Fort Knox. It was well before the closing time of 5. Next time we will stick with our usual place.
Written October 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing