About Dukes Creek Mines:

Come pan for gold and screen for gems at North Georgia's best pay dirt mine, but don't take our word for it. Come on out and check us out for yourself. This is the site of the first major discovery of gold in America!

Dukes Creek Gold and Ruby Mines, North Georgia's best operating Gold & Gem mine, was formerly a productive part of America’s first Gold Rush. In George White's 1849 book Statistics of the State of Georgia, he states "The first discovery of gold in this state was made at Duke's Creek, Habersham (now White) County."

We have been in the mining business for over forty years. Shop owner, Del Jackson, has mined everywhere from here in the United States and Alaska to Central and South America. In the late 70’s, we opened a small sand and gravel mine right outside Helen, Georgia, named Noochee Sand and Gravel. This is where we are still located today.

Due to the amount of gold, rubies, and sapphires that were found, we decided to open our treasures to the public, allowing people to pan right in the river. Due to rising insurance rates we were forced to move our operations and build our conveniently covered panning tables right next to our shop.

Come on out for a day full of fun and excitement for the whole family. Click here for more on gold and gem mining.

Don't forget about our unique gift shop filled with everything from fossils to Indian jewelry!