Six years after the discovery of the largest uncut emerald ever found in the United States in Hiddenite, what would become the largest cut emerald in North America is found on a property in Alexander County. Weighing 64 carats and styled after the emerald once owned by Catherine the Great of Russia, the gem is dubbed the Carolina Emperor. Three more emeralds, one weighing 1,225 carats, would be found on the same property in March 2011. All four Alexander County finds are donated to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.
For decades, a remote piece of Currituck County has been a respite for wildlife. Now under the protection of conservationists, this land, the waters surrounding it, and the skies above will remain a constant in our coastal circle of life.
On North Carolina’s coast, boardwalks wind alongside our sounds, rivers, and beaches, reminding us that the journey is often just as delightful as the destination.
From Wanchese to Duck, these landmark businesses and the families who run them connect consumers with the daily catch.
As the sun sets at Grandfather Mountain, fireflies put on a magnificent show — for those willing to stop and pay attention.
