Gem Valley to reopen May 1

May 1 Jefferson. Gem Valley, the only gem mining operation in Ashe County, has announced its grand re-opening for May 1. The Gem Valley NC Mine is a family business and one of North Carolina's newest attractions and is the only public gem-mining/gold-panning facility in the beautiful mountains of Ashe County, NC! Located at the historical mine of Ore Knob, you can find us at 2489 Little Peak Creek Road off of Highway 88 in Jefferson/Laurel Springs (look for the signs). Gem Valley is only minutes away from the Blue Ridge Parkway and one of the oldest rivers in the world, the "New River." If you like gem mining, you'll LOVE Gem Valley!