THE GEM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

FRANKLINFRANKLINEZ-GUIDE

YOUR 2011 COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE

GEMS, MINERALS & BEAUTY OF FRANKLIN, NC

COMPLETE FRANKLIN GEM SHOW INFO MAPS & FLOORPLANS DEALER LISTS LOCAL GEM MINES N.C. GEM & MINERAL SHOW CALENDAR

FRANKLIN: HISTORY HOTBED RESTAURANT GUIDE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Franklin Dining Guide

8 Gem Mining in Macon County

9 Highlands Road Gem Show Information

10 Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers (G&LW) Show Information

12 Macon County Gemboree Information

14 Franklin, North Carolina: History Hotbed

16 North Carolina Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show Calendar

Front cover photos. Top left to right: Ammonite (photo by Suzanne Morrison/Back Country Photography); 7.60 ct. Sunstone (photo by Lydia Dyer/John Dyer & Co.); Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum in old jail building; Jasper cabochons (photo by Suzanne Morrison/Back Country Photography); Hand-woven thread earrings (photo by Nancy Hicks/Moonjig Jewelry). Middle: View of Smoky Mountains. Bottom left to right: Colorful bead strands (photo by Nancy Hicks/Moonjig Jewelry); Selenite (photo by Suzanne Morrison/Back Country Photography); 22.55 ct. Ametrine (photo by Lydia Dyer/John Dyer & Co.)

Photographers’ websites: Suzanne Morrison/ www.backcountryphotographyaz.com; Lydia Dyer/ www.johndyergems.com; Nancy Hicks/www.moonjigjewelry.etsy.com

Publishers/Editors: Brad & Nancy Hicks/ Xpo Press, Inc.

Special thanks to Arlen Eldridge and the staff of Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine, the Franklin Gem & Mineral Society, the Town of Franklin, N.C., and DiscoverOurTown.com.

The Franklin EZ-Guide is published by Xpo Press, Inc., P.O. Box 740864, Arvada, Colorado 80006, USA; (720) 946-2808; toll-free (877) 621-6143; fax (303) 428-5592; support@xpopress.com; www.xpopress.com. 10,000 copies of the Franklin EZ-Guide were printed for the 2011 issue. Show vendor listings and show information offered free-of-charge. Display advertising is paid. Please contact Brad Hicks, the publisher, if you would like to reserve ad space in the 2012 Franklin EZ-Guide. PDFs of ad rates and samples of Xpo Press publications are available online at www.xpopress.com.

CGM Findings, Inc. Back coverCowee Mountain Ruby Mine 18Desert Gardens Gem & Mineral Show 13Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers 19GIGM Tucson Shows 5, 17Jewelry & Gem Expo / SFES Productions, Inc 15Starborn Creations 15Top Gem Minerals, Inc. 7Village Originals 3Xpo Press, Inc. 13

Advertiser Index

Franklin Gem & Mineral MuseumThe museum is open to the public May through October, Monday-Saturday, noon-4pm; November through March, Saturdays only, noon-4pm; closed the month of April and on July 4. For more information call 828-369-7831 or visit online at www.fgmm.org.

The museum, located at 25 Phillips Street in Franklin, was formerly a jail. Thirty-foot-thick walls and steel bars present a stark appearance to visitors, yet these forbidding features add a unique fl avor and charm to the experience.

Although small, the museum’s gift shop has an excellent selection of books, handmade jewelry, and a varied supply of mineral specimens.

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AmericanCity Restaurant 1251 East Main Street • 828-524-4948American and country dining at its best. Family-friendly restaurant serving a wide variety of traditional American favorites daily for lunch and dinner.

Fatz Cafe 107 Sawmill Village Lane • 828-524-5265Offering appetizers, soups & salads, chicken & pasta, sampler platters & combos, steaks, ribs & chops, burgers, wraps & sandwiches, seafood, Fatz Lite side selections, desserts and drinks.

Hidden Gem Cafe, The 24 Iotla Street • 828-369-0575Award-winning café earning the AAA 3-Diamond Award rating every year since 2003. Closed Sundays.

Hungry Bear Restaurant 33 Macon Center Drive • 828-369-2900Offering in a casual atmosphere homemade buckwheat pancakes and freshly made omelets at breakfast; Philly cheese prime-rib steak subs, Hungry Bear Signature subs, wraps, burgers, and salads at lunch; seafood, Italian dishes, and Chef Mark’s creatively inspired daily specials at dinner.

Mulligans Bar & Grille 579 Depot Street • 828-349-3183Perfect place for an affordable meal and tasty drinks for both lunch and dinner. Daily lunch specials, drink specials and late-night menu at bar.

Shoney’s 1024 Georgia Road • 828-349-0290Feeding America’s families for more than 62-years with classic American favorites.

Sunset Restaurant 498 Harrison Avenue • 828-524-4842Small venue serving dishes prepared home-style.

Vlass House Grill 201 Highlands Road • 828-369-6081Open for lunch and dinner with a full bar. Offering a wide variety of dishes including burgers, pasta, seafood and more. House specialties: 100% Black Angus burgers, Vlass House ribeye, Greek marinated chicken, and honey-pineapple sirloin tips.

BBQ / SteakhouseBlue Ridge Roadhouse319 Carolina Mtn. Dr. • 828-369-8156Atmosphere is relaxed, food is divine. I am from Texas, so I know what a good steak is and the porterhouse I had here is one of the best I’ve ever had . . . seasoned and cooked to perfection . . . AMAZING! — Reviewed on www.urbanspoon.com

Cash’s Smokehouse BBQ 1281 Georgia Road • 828-524-8386/ 828-342-2290Voted “Best BBQ” in Macon County 2009 People’s Choice Awards. Offering slow roasted, hickory smoked BBQ from custom smoker, fall-off-the-bone, hand-pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and Texas-style beef brisket served with homemade au jus.

Fat Buddies Ribs & BBQ 311 Westgate Plaza • 828-349-4743Offering full menu of ribs and barbecue served with house wine, side orders, salads, stews, and appetizers. Catering services available. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, closed Sunday.

BistroLilli 351 Carolina Mountain Drive • 828-369-9784French bistro open for dinner Friday-Saturday 5:30-10:00 pm, and Sunday 5-9 pm. Brunch Saturday-Sunday noon-5 pm.

CafesGazebo Creekside Cafe 44 Heritage Hollow • 828-524-8783Quaint café in relaxing, casual atmosphere offering full menu of sandwiches, fresh salads, and homemade soups.

Life’s Bounty 23 Iotla Street • 828-524-4800Featuring a gift shop, bakery goods, soups, salads, sandwiches and ice cream.

Stamey’s Cafe 1111 East Main Street • 828-524-8198Breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday 7 am - 8 pm, Saturday-Sunday 7 am - 2 pm.

ChineseFortune House Restaurant 305 Highlands Road • 828-524-2804Offering authentic, sumptuous Chinese cuisine in relaxing, casual atmosphere.

Peking Gourmet 4527 Highway 441 • 828-524-8879Delicious Chinese cuisine featuring lunch and dinner buffet daily, and seafood buffet on Friday and Saturday night.

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Creole & CajunCajun Connection Restaurant 549 Highlands Road • 828-369-6288Featuring Gulf Coast and East Coast seafood specialties with full bar, private meeting room and party room available for up to 50 people.

Delis & Sandwich ShopsWhistle Stop Cafe 1281 Georgia Road • 828-349-0588Open daily for lunch and early dinner, specializing in wide variety of sandwiches, fresh soups and salads.

InternationalFrog & Owl Mountain Bistro & Wine Bar 46 East Main Street • 828-349-4112Wonderful array of international cuisine serving lunch and dinner daily and featuring extensive wine list.

Yatis International Bistro 2726 Georgia Road • 828-349-9284Offering elegant international cuisine in Franklin.

ItalianCaffe Rel459 E Main St • 828-369-9446Though attached to a busy gas station, well-regarded chef overcomes ambiance hurdle by serving perfectly prepared and complemented foods, many interesting or unusual . . . each plate that passes by looks fantastic. It’s a 10. — Reviewed on www.urbanspoon.com

Lucio’s Italian Restaurant 313 Highlands Road • 828-369-6670Elegant, yet casual atmosphere offering array of traditional, authentic Italian dishes and some of area’s best wines.

Mexican & SouthwesternColima Mexican Restaurant 57 Highlands Road • 828-524-9025Casual environs offering authentic Mexican cuisine. Don’t miss spectacular daily lunch buffet. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant 788 East Main Street • 828-369-1580Offering variety of appetizers, salads, vegetarian dishes, combo platters, quesadillas, rellenos, child’s menu, desserts, house specialties, lunch specials, a la carte items, margaritas, beer and wine.

Monte Alban 2648 Georgia Road • 828-349-4484Open daily for lunch and dinner, offering your favorite Mexican dishes and served in a casual, festive atmosphere.

PizzaChris & Charlie’s Pizza, Pasta & More 1505 Highlands Road • 828-349-0900Pizza and Italian favorites offering take-out, catering and outdoor seating, great place for groups and kids.

Main Street Pizzeria 509 Depot Street • 828-349-0979Offering hand-tossed pizzas with a variety of ingredients, also salads, wings, stromboli and more. Enjoy views from large front deck.

SeafoodElmore’s Fish Fry 351 Carolina Mountain Drive • 828-524-6700“Where the locals eat!” Traditional southern-style fi sh fry, large variety of fresh and salt water seafood, lightly battered and crispy fried to order, also daily lunch special from 11 am - 2 pm. Call for reservations for groups of 6 or more.

Stillwater Fish Camp 579 Depot Street • 828-369-5445Fine dining at fi sh camp prices, offering seafood, steak, pasta, salads, sandwiches and more.

SouthernMama’s 21 Heritage Hollow Drive • 828-369-8185Family dining specializing in traditional Southern country fare, fried chicken, hamburgers, sandwiches, and soups. Specials: Prime rib Friday night, T-bone steak Saturday night. Open Tuesday-Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; closed Sundays-Mondays.

ThaiBoone Thai Basil553 Highlands Rd. • 828-524-1111Kind of slow for lunch, but well worth the wait! Glad to fi nd a good Thai place way out here. — Reviewed in www.urbanspoon.com

Thai Paradise 3078 Georgia Road • 828-349-0973Offering authentic Thai and Asian specialties.

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• Great NEW merchandise

• Great selection of the best wholesale material available.

• Great specimens at wonderful prices.

IN FRANKLINHighlands Road

Gem ShowJuly 27 - 31, 2011

Corner of Hwy. 441 Bypass & Highlands Road

Franklin, NC

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f you are a rock hound visiting Franklin (also known as both the “Gem Capital of the World” and the “Ruby City”) fl uming at a local gem mine is a must. Most gem mining in the North

Carolina mountains is found in Franklin and in the Cowee Valley north and west of Franklin. Most of the mines have a powered water sluice where you can sift through the dirt and rock, called fl uming, as you prospect for rubies, gold, amethyst, aquamarine, sapphires, garnets and many other types of stones.

At some of these mines, visitors search for minerals from the creekbeds, while others sell buckets of stream sediment for washing and sieving at a fl ume. Some of the mines off er digs for native minerals only, while others off er “enriched” stream sediment, which contains minerals from other parts of the state or world. Admission fees may be charged per bucket or per the hour, depending on the mine, so call ahead for details.

The world’s largest star rubies have been found in the Cowee Valley. This entire area is a gem hunter’s heaven.

1. Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine, 41 Cherokee Mine Road off Ruby Mine

Road, Franklin, 828-349-2941.

2. Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine, 6771 Sylva Rd. & 441 N, Franklin,

828-369-5271.

3. Gold City Gem Mine, 9410 Sylva Rd. & Highway 441, Franklin,

800-713-7767.

4. Jackson Hole, Hwy. 28 & US 64, Franklin, 828-524-5850.

5. Mason Mountain Mine & Cowee Gift Shop, 5315 Bryson City Rd., Franklin,

828-524-4570.

6. Mason’s Ruby & Sapphire Mine, 6961 Upper Burningtown Rd., Franklin,

828-369-9742.

7. Nantahala Gorge Ruby Mine, 11900 US 19/74 West, Bryson City,

828-488-3854.

8. Rose Creek Mine, Gift & Rock Shop, 115 Terrace Ridge Dr., Franklin,

828-349-3774.

9. Sheffi eld Mine, 385 Sheffi eld Farms Rd., Franklin, 828-369-8383.

10. Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine, Hiway 441 North, Cherokee,

828-497-6574.

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Watauga Festival Center

426 Watauga Road, Franklin, N.C.

Show Promoter Info:Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers, Inc.Phone: 601-879-8832 Email: info@glwshows.netWeb: www.glwshows.com

Gem Shows in Franklin

$1.30 Tent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TV 934 International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-70/84A F Silver Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TV 1A N S Fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-137Alen Jewelry, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . B-103/131Amber Dreams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-49Amber Room Artistic Silver . . . . . . . . . .B-189bAnil Dholakia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-107/127Anna King Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-134Annie’s Boutique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-76/78Archy’s Rock Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-97Artistic Dynasty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-182B & C Fine Jewelry, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-10Bali Designs, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-41/35Balinesia New York, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . B-172Barbara Garwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-27

Commercial Resource Corp. . . . . . . . . . B-59/95Coral Reef, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17D & C International Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . TV 2D T C/Kimmimoto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-148D Z I Creations, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-130David Shi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-90Designer Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-56Discover Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-99Dominican Gem/Caribbean Larimar. . . . . . B-92E T S Design Int’l Wholesale, Inc. . . . . B-154/160E W International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-147El Paso Rock Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TV 18Elysium, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-105/129Enter the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TV 15Evergreen Gemstone/Star Gemstone . . . . . B-11Evergreen Trading Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-183Fashion Accessories Int’l, Inc.. . . . . . . . . .TV 11Fine Stones, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-71/83Frank Import Trading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-28G E M Enterprises. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-74/80Gem Center, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TV 10Gems & Beads, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-161George Chen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-82Glitters Import . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-126Goldie Jewelry LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-128Good Beads World, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15Great American Eagle and Native Co., The . . . B-9Hands of the Hills, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . B-178Holy & Pure Stone, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . B-37/39India Gems and Beads/Silver Jewels, Inc.. . . B-13India Jewelry Palace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1/2Intrinsic Trading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-32/44J K Int’l Import, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-163J N K Jewelry Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-104J P Pearl & Jewelry, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . B-106Janes Pearl World/Simon’s Jewelry . . . . . B-100Jeff Wheeler Gems & Minerals . . . . . . . . B-186Jem Estate Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-31Jeman Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-67/87/TV 5Jess Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-22Jewel Sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-123Jirar Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-144/170K & K Imports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4/05Kay El Co., Inc., The. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-125Keweenaw Gem & Gift, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . B-179Kho International, Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-88Koda Imports, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-157Lanshang Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-149/165Little Angel Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . B-108Lonestar Trading, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TV 12M B T C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-135M J Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-91M T Jewelry Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-16Majestic Pearl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-187Marsland Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-180Mary Lou’s Jewelry. . . . . . . . . . . . B-112/122Miami Beach Gems/Mystic Minerals & Carvings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-96Minas Brazil Stones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TV 17Multivision, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7Natural Creations/Vikas Gems, Inc. . . . . .B-188bNatural Gems Co.. . . . . . . . . B-12/26/50/65/89Nature Beads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-56Neotric Gems, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-143New Century Int’l Wholesale . . . . . . . . B-25/51

Noble Palace, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-166Oceanic Linkways, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . TV 8One of a Kind Designer Cabochons . . . . . B-177Only Beads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-191Opalos Romero, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-54Oriental Treasure Tennessee . . . . . . . . . B-153P K Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-93Pangaea Industries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . .B-189aPashton Artifacts, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-79Pearl Creation, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-190Petersen Opals and Fine Jewelry. . . . . . . B-114Phoenix Stone & Beads . . . . . . . . . . . . B-175Pichincha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-19/57Poor Boys Opals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-192Primitive Earth Beads & Chains . . . . . . . B-136Raiders of the Lost Art. . . . . . . . . . . . . .TV 14Rainbow Ratan Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-48Renaissance Glass, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-86Rosman Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-185S I I Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-101/133Sandy Schor Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-113Schlansker, Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TV 7Shangri-La Gallery Shark King . . . . . . . . . B-52Shicols Int’l, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TV 3Shreya Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-23/53Silk Road Treasures, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18Silver Link & Supply, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . B-145Silver Stone Studio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-42Singh Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-109Sona, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-169Starborn Creations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-139Strong Rock, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TV 13Super Time Int’l, Co. . . . . . . . . . . . B-155/159Suraj . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-188aT A Pearls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-29T G Trade NYC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-8T J’s Rocks & Gemcrafts . . . . . . . . . . . . .TV 16T S Babah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-62Taj Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-167Terun Trading, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . B-150/164Three Sisters’ Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-81Tibet Craft, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-14bTim The Jeweler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-124Twan Kee Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-146Unicorne Beads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-102/132V A D & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-173V-Rock Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TV 4Value Arts Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-140/174Veronica Matthews Minerals . . . . . . . . . B-115Vista Gems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-168West Desert Collectors . . . . . . . . . . . . B-141Wholesale Nest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-162

Exhibitors for May 6-8 Show

If you have a wholesale license, be sure to catch the two Gem

and Lapidary Wholesalers (G&LW) Shows in Franklin.

G&LW Wholesale Gem Show (Spring)May 6-8, 201110am-6pm Daily; 10am-3pm Sunday

G&LW Wholesale Gem Show (Summer)July 28-31, 201110am-6pm Daily; 10am-3pm Sunday

2011 Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers

Beadcore, Inc./Canicas Gems, Inc . . . . . B-60/94Beads Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-171Beads Galore Displays and More . . . . . . . . B-47Beads in Vogue/Atlantic Gem & Silver . . . . B-30Best in Gems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-152Blake Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-69/85Blue Whale Co./Beijing Run-Al . . . . . . . . . B-43Braja/Silver Impressions, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . B-3Butterfl ies by God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TV 6C & I International, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-40Cargo Hold, Inc., The. . . . . . . . . . . B-138/176Carolina Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-38/77China Mountain Gem, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . B-117Choy Int’l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-46Claspon Claspoff /Bead Need . . . . . . . . . B-142Coff er Int’l Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-184

The July 28-31 show features nearly all the same exhibitors. Check www.glwshow.com for exhibitor updates.

Corundum (Var: Sapphire) is abundant in Macon County.

Min

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2.56 ct. Pink Sapphire (photo by Lydia Dyer/

John Dyer & Co.)

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All Gemborees are held at:

Macon County Community Building

US 441 South, Franklin, N.C.

For more information:

800-336-7829

The interest in gems and minerals in the western North Carolina mountains has spawned one of the country’s best-known gem shows, the Macon County Gemboree, and draws thousands annually to Franklin. The Gemboree this July will be the 46th annual and has grown so popular that two other gem shows were added over the years to accommodate the interest—the Mother’s Day Gemboree held in May and the Leaf Looker’s Gemboree in October.

2011 Macon County Gemborees

10th Annual10th AnnualMother’s Day Mother’s Day GemboreeGemboreeMay 6-8, 2011

Hours: 10am-6pm Friday-Saturday; 11am-4pm SundaySponsored by: Franklin

Chamber of Commerce

46th Annual46th AnnualMacon County Macon County GemboreeGemboreeJuly 28-31, 2011

Hours: 10am-6pm Thursday-Saturday; 11am-4pm SundaySponsored by: The Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin and the Franklin Chamber of Commerce

22nd Annual 22nd Annual Leaf Looker’s Leaf Looker’s GemboreeGemboreeOctober 14-16, 2011

Hours: 10am-6pm Friday-Saturday; 11am-4pm SundaySponsored by: The Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin and the Franklin Chamber of Commerce

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Mother’s DayMother’s DayGemboree Dealer ListGemboree Dealer List

May 6-8, 20111. Elaine Stein - Murphy, NC2. A & J Gems - Valrico, FL3. Dackson Tse - Marietta, GA4. Greens Gems - Greeneville, TN5. Pearls by B & B - Eutawville, SC6. The Crystal Connection - Cincinnati, OH7. Bracelets & More - Lima, OH8. Amber America - Brooklyn, NY9. PAK Designs - Denver, NC10. Steven & Michi Jewelry - Kissimmee, FL11. Scarlett Fire Beads - Cocoa, FL12. El-Mar Enterprises - Plant City, FL13. Bass Gems & Minerals - Danville, VA14. Vernon’s Custom Design - Garner, NC15. Lane’s Fine Jewelry - Melbourne, FL16. J.C. Gems - Apple Valley, MN17. Leslie Booker - Pittsboro, NC18. One of a Kind Designer Cabs - Branson, MO19. Mother Nature & Us - Sebastian, FL20. CFC Jewelry Supplies - Fowlerville, MI21. V & S Enterprises - Sun City Center, FL22. Imperial Gems - Suwannee, GA23. Jewel Passage - Raleigh, NC24. Gem Shell Jewelry - Springfi eld, TN25. Lihua Jia - Cleveland, GA26. Dan’s Gemstones & Jewelry - Gautier, MS

For July and October vendor list contact Franklin Chamber of Commerce at 800-336-7829

For advertising opportunities in this or other Xpo Press gem, mineral and jewelry show guides please call:

For more advertising information go to:

14 15

Cherokee Heritage TrailThe Cherokee Middle Towns stretched along the Little Tennessee River and its tributaries from its headwaters to its passage through the Smokies — towns every few miles, sur-rounded by fi elds and connected by trails and by the river. Today one can explore the world of the Middle Towns at the Scottish Tartans Museum, 86 East Main Street in Franklin (one of the main interpretive centers for the area). But the spiritual center for this area lies at the Nikwasi Mound, near the Little Tennessee River, still standing at something near its original height in the center of Franklin on East Main Street. Most other mounds throughout Cherokee country have been farmed down to ground level, or bulldozed for development, or excavated

and their contents removed. Located at the center of the Nikwasi Village, a "white" (peace) town, this mound once supported a townhouse in which the sacred fi re burned constantly.

And just about anywhere you go in the state you will bump into a Civil War story — one you may not fi nd anywhere else. Such is the case in Franklin, where you'll fi nd two interesting connections to the Civil War.

The Thomas LegionConfederate Col. William H. Thomas organized Thomas’s Legion of Cherokee Indians and mountaineers in Franklin in September 1862. Several locals, both white and Indian, joined the unit, which fought in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina. Thomas eventually recruited more than 2,000 men, among them about 400 Cherokee. Thomas was the fi rst and only white man to serve as Cherokee Chief and was instrumental in obtaining the land on which the Qualla Boundary, located north of Franklin, was established. He was the subject of a 2006 novel entitled Thirteen Moons, penned by former Franklin resident Charles Frazier.

Surrender at Dixie HallOne of the last formal surrenders of Confederate forces happened in Franklin at Dixie Hall (now the site of the Macon County Courthouse) on May 12, 1865. Confederate troops isolated here were

the last to hear of Lee’s surrender and the surrender of North Carolina forces under General Joseph E. Johnston. As Union forces began to mop up pockets of resistance in North Carolina, Union offi cer Col. George W. Kirk proceeded west to Franklin. Once in town he and his troops took over Dixie Hall, the home of Julius Thomas Siler, a Captain of the Confederate Army. Union soldiers stole what they could carry from the home including livestock. Legend has it that young Alice Siler secretly went onto the upstairs porch of Dixie Hall and spat on Kirk’s Union fl ag. After negotiations and returning much of what had been looted, Confederate forces under the command of Major Stephen Whitaker surrendered. Reenactments of the "Last Surrender at Dixie Hall" are held each year during the Franklin Folk Festival, the third weekend in July.

© 2011 Town of Franklin, N.C. Used with permission.

FRANKLIN, NORTH CAROLINA: HISTORY HOTBED

Discover Franklin’s history and heritage, its ties to the Cherokee Indian Nation and American Civil War at Macon County Historical Museum,

36 W. Main Street, or online at www.maconnchistorical.org.

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ATTENTIONDealers & Buyers

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MAY May 5-8. Highlands Road Gem Show. NE corner of Highway 441 and Highlands Road, Franklin. Hours: Daily 9-5, with many dealers available before and after these hours. Contact: Kristy Dodge, 828-369-6341, kdodge@dnet.net.May 5-8. South East Gems Gemfest. Whistle Stop Mall Parking Lot, Franklin. Hours: Thur-Sat 9-6, Sun 9-4. Contact: Mark Smith, 706-490-4550 / 828-332-7250, segems@ymail.com.May 6-8. Mother’s Day Gemboree. Macon County Community Building, Franklin. Hours: Fri-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5. Contact: Diane Baldwin, facc@franklin-chamber.com.May 6-8. Gem and Lapidary (G&LW) Wholesalers Gem Show. Watauga Festival Center, 426 Watauga Rd, Franklin. Hours: Fri-Sat 10-6, Sun 10-3. Wholesale only, tax license required. Contact: info@glwshows.net, www.glwshows.com.May 14. Laurie’s Rockshop Bi-Annual Open House Swap & Show. Laurie’s Rockshop, 268 Cedar Springs Rd., Denton. Hours: Sat 9am-midnight. Contact: Laurie Adams, laurieadams@triad.rr.com, www.theadamscollection.com.May 14-15. American Bead & Jewelry Show. Venue TBA, Greensboro. Hours: Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Contact: (770) 739-0057, info@americangemexpo.com www.americangemexpo.com.May 27-29. Aurora Fossil Festival. Aurora Fossil Museum, 400 Main Street, Aurora. Hours: Street Dance Fri 7pm, Sat-Sun all day. Contact: aurfosmus@yahoo.com, www.aurorafossilmuseum.com.

JUNE June 10-12. Charlotte Gem & Mineral Show. Oasis Shrine’s Temple, 604 Doug Mayes Place, Charlotte. Hours: Fri-Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5. Contact: www.charlottegem.com.June 10-12. Frank Cox Gem and Jewelry Show. NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Hours: Daily 10-5. Contact: 941-954-0202, www.frankcoxproductions.com.

June 17-19. Asheville Gem Fest. Colburn Earth Science Museum, Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center, Biltmore & Patton Ave.,

downtown Asheville. Hours: Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. Contact: Felicity Green, (828)

254-7162, www.colburnmuseum.org.

JULYJuly 1-3. Frank Cox Gem and Jewelry Show. NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Hours: Daily 10-5. Contact: 941-954-0202, www.frankcoxproductions.com.July 9-10. American Bead & Jewelry Show. Venue TBA, Raleigh. Hours: Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Contact: (770) 739-0057, info@americangemexpo.com www.americangemexpo.com.July 11. Cotton Patch Gold Mine Annual Gold Festival. Cotton Patch Mine, 41697 Gurley Rd, New London. Hours: All day. Contact: 704-463-5797, www.cottonpatchgoldmine.com. July 22-24. Treasures of the Earth Show. Boone National Guard Armory, 274 Hunting Hills Lane, Boone. Hours: Fri-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5. Contact: (540) 384-6047, van@toteshows.com, www.toteshows.com.July 27-31. Highlands Road Gem Show. NE corner of Highway 441 Bypass & Highlands Rd, Franklin. Hours: Daily 9-5 with many dealers available before and after these hours. Contact: Kristy Dodge, 828-369-6341, kdodge@dnet.net. July 27-31. South East Gems Gemfest. Whistle Stop Mall Parking Lot, Franklin. Hours: Thur-Sat 9-6, Sun 9-4. Contact: Mark Smith, 706-490-4550 / 828-332-7250, segems@ymail.com.July 28-31. Gem and Lapidary (G&LW) Wholesalers Gem Show. Watauga Festival Center, 426 Watauga Rd, Franklin. Hours: Thur-Sat 10-6, Sun 10-3. Wholesale only, tax license required. Contact: info@glwshows.net, www.glwshows.com.July 28-31. Macon County Gemboree. Macon County Community Building, Franklin. Hours: Fri-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5. Contact: Diane Baldwin, facc@franklin-chamber.com.July 31-Aug 7. Grassy Creek Gem and Mineral Show. Pinebridge Coliseum, 97 Pinebridge Ave, Spruce Pine. Hours: Daily 10-6. Contact: Donna Collis, collisdonna@yahoo.com, or Roger Frye, refrye@bellsouth.net.

AUGUSTAug. 4-7. Gem and Lapidary (G&LW) Wholesalers Gem Show. Pinebridge Executive Inn, 207 Pinebridge Ave, Spruce Pine. Hours: Thur-Sat 10-5, Sun 10-3. Wholesale only, tax license required. Contact: info@glwshows.net, www.glwshows.com.

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North Carolina Gem, Mineral Jewelry Show Calendar

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Aug. 4-7. North Carolina Mineral & Gem Festival. At 3rd stop light in Spruce Pine, turn right onto Hwy 226 S, go 1/4 mile turn left onto Summit Ave, festival site is less than 1/4 mile, Spruce Pine. Hours: Thur-Sat 10-6, Sun 12:30-5. Contact: 828-765-9033, pjensen@mitchell-county.co., www.ncgemfest.com.

SEPTEMBERSept. 2-5. Hendersonville Gem and Mineral Show. Whitmire Activity Building - Tom’s Park, Lily Pond Rd, Hendersonville. Hours: Fri-Sun 10-6, Mon 10-5. Contact: Kevin Jones, 828-243-1222, www.hcgms.org.Sept. 9-11. Forsyth Gem and Mineral Show. Coliseum Annex, Dixie Classic Fairgrounds, Winston-Salem. Fri-Sat 10-7, Sun 12-5. Contact: www.forsythgemclub.com. Sept. 11-12. American Bead & Jewelry Show. Metrolina Expo Center, 7100 Stateville Rd, Charlotte. Hours: Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Contact: (770) 739-0057, info@americangemexpo.com, www.americangemexpo.com.Sept. 30 - Oct. 2. Gaston County Gem and Mineral Show. Gaston County Park, Hwy 279-Dallas Cherryville Hwy, Dallas. Hours: Fri-Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5. Contact: Jackay McDaniel, 704-865-6748.

OCTOBEROct. 1. Chatham County “Tailgate” Rock Swap. The Rocks Trading Post, 535-A Old Sanford Rd, Pittsboro/Moncure. Hours: Sat 9-5. Contact: ncgems@ncgems.com, www.ncgems.com. Oct. 1-2. American Bead & Jewelry Show. Emerald Event Center, 2000 East Wendover Ave, Greensboro. Hours: Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Contact: (770) 739-0057, info@americangemexpo.com, www.americangemexpo.com.Oct. 13-16. South East Gems Gemfest. Whistle Stop Mall Parking Lot, Franklin. Hours: Thur-Sat 9-6, Sun 9-4. Contact: Mark Smith, 706-490-4550 / 828-332-7250, segems@ymail.com.Oct. 14-16. Leaf Lookers Gemboree. Macon County Community Building, Franklin. Hours: Fri-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5. Contact: Diane Baldwin, facc@franklin-chamber.com.Oct. 25-26. Gem and Lapidary (G&LW) Wholesalers Gem Show. Asheville Civic Center, 87 Haywood St, Asheville. Hours: Tues 10-6, Wed 10-3. Wholesale only, tax license required. Contact: info@glwshows.net, www.glwshows.com.

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North Carolina Gem, Mineral Jewelry Show Calendar

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