From diamonds to emeralds, the United States is full of buried bling Jennifer Nalewicki Travel Correspondent A man fills up buckets with dirt while hunting for diamonds at Crater Diamonds State Park ...

Rockhounding is not a hobby you hear about every day. Loosely defined as the practice of recreationally hunting for gems and semi-precious stones in their natural habitats, it's primarily seen as a ...

Feb. 5 -- Jamie Hill's friends thought that he was nuts the first time he went into debt searching for emeralds in North Carolina, but he's proven them wrong — again. Hill made headlines when he found ...

If you're looking for an affordable adventure that rewards you with precious gemstones, you're in luck. The Emerald Hollow Mine offers amateur prospectors the opportunity to roll up their sleeves (and ...

HIDDENITE, N.C. -- Jamie Hill, excavator of the noted Carolina Queen and Carolina Prince emeralds, finally may have found what he's sought since he dug up his first quartz crystal at age 6. Last week, ...

The most dazzling places on earth often produce the most dazzling gems—here, a special report on the ins and outs of bringing home the ultimate souvenir. green giant Although Egypt and Austria once ...

But if you want to try gem hunting in a setting that is developed enough to be beginner-friendly while still retaining some of its natural character, it's a great starter spot. Diamond Hill Mine also ...