Ancient Volcanic Activity Created Emeralds in North Carolina

Approximately 390 million years ago, North Carolina was surrounded by a large ocean on two sides. An offshore tectonic collision was also ongoing, which led to large volumes of magma intruding into the crust. These large magma bodies would go on to create granite monoliths such as Stone Mountain, but also created something a bit more unusual, emeralds. These emeralds formed in intrusions of molten rock with high water and silica content, forming a truly unique geologic oddity in the state.

Google Earth imagery used in this video: ©Google

Thumbnail Photo Credit: USGS, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

0:00 The Devonian Period
0:18 Monoliths of Granite
0:41 Emeralds in North Carolina
1:08 How the Monoliths Formed
2:20 Pegmatites
3:22 What Created Emeralds

[GeologyHub]

As you might have guessed, the town of Hiddenite mentioned in this video is named after a mineral by the same name. Hiddenite is another Pegmatite gemstone which is a green variety of Spodumene

[pickmandaily]

I would love to see more videos about gemstones, how they form, & where they can be found.

[nctn]

I grew up in the Spruce Pine NC mining district where we had emeralds at the Big Crabtree emerald mine. The pegmatites in the district contain some of the widest varieties of valuable minerals found in the US in such a small area.

[EddieA]

This is a perfect example why I love this channel.

[AbelTravel]

This is one of my favorite channels on YouTube. Thanks for the informative video.

[ubermachtthemechanic]

I love what you are doing. Please don't change a thing, this is an amazing channel!!! Concise and factual, clear and logical when providing opinions.

I'm a fan and geology nerd in general, but particularly I appreciate these explanations of how, why, and where the precious metal and gemstone formations came to be.

[JT-okre]

My hometown is where Stone Mountain is! I grew up climbing that mountain several times. Thank you for the information on thise mountains in North Carolina.

[crystalhilliard]

I appreciate your video today!! My mouth fell open when I realized it was on my home state of North Carolina. Hiddenite is only 1 of the rare minerals and crystals we have in NC. Many are not aware that NC is chock full of around 27 minerals, crystals, precious metals such as silver and gold, along with many gemstones of which there are a few rare ones. A lady in Raleigh allowed a couple of gem/crystal hunters to dig in her back yard and they found plenty. The video is on you tube somewhere, I didn't save it or I would link you and the fans to it, so they could see for themselves. Anyway, thank you for this wonderful informative video. I personally would like to see more on gemstones/crystals, how rare they are, how they form, their regions they form and why that region- but thats just me. I love anything you cover, from volcanoes to gemology, geography...but then again I am biased towards you, being my fav and all! lol. Keep up the great work, like I said we will be at 200k in no time (164k now). Keep switching it up a bit, maybe cover under water seamounts (volcanoes) as well. just a few suggestions, sweetie. Enjoy your day. <3

[gregrussell]

Your channel is so interesting keep up the good work 👍

[bobm]

Thank you for explaining the Appalachian formation in North Carolina! This makes my day

[pixelatra_]

I live near Stone Mountain. It is a beautiful place to visit, and the history surrounding it is great too. I've found multiple tiny gemstones just playing in the creek while I was growing up, it's no joke!

[rj]

I am from the Carolinas and grew up in those mountains. I have always wondered how all those granite mountains got there. Super cool video. My favorite one yet. Great job.

[Dakotaraptor_Official]

Me- Gives 64 emerald to villager
Villager- Gives me o n e carrot

[wiredforstereo]

I would love to hear more about how various gemstones are created, like in the processes in this video. We've heard about peridot and olivine, now emeralds, some about diamonds, where do sapphires come from, for instance? How about how amethyst used to be a gemstone, but they started finding more of it and now it's not. Lot of good possible topics here, especially when they intersect with volcanoes.

[jackienaturelover]

Thanks for this video. It was very interesting. Love all the effort you put into all your videos.

[deadboy]

Could you do an Impact crater video on the Popigai crater? I love your descriptions on the biggest ones.

[bigrooster]

So many emeralds have been found just laying on the ground there there’s a creek there that’s highly protected there that has produce so many giant emeralds.

[c.f.]

Thanks for all the effort you put into your videos!

[orogenicman]

North Caroline is also one of the only states where you can find rubies. I found a location near Jackson County where the Rubies are found in situ in Zoisite. In fact, I was trying to break a ruby-filled piece off the outcrop when my rock hammer shattered. Tough rock, zoisite. I then discovered that the rock debris on the ground was full of rubies.

[moonbowartshandknits]

Very cool! Thanks for the stone info, I love it!