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By Chelsea Sherman
Located within walking distance to downtown Blowing Rock, McCoy Minerals houses a wide array of unique treasures of all shapes and colors in a quaint shop on Main Street. This family owned and operated shop features custom and mainstream jewelry, loose gemstones, minerals, fossils (both real and replica) and home decor. In addition to high-quality inventory, the shop offers lapidary services, which involves cutting raw stones and repairing gemstones.
Owners, Randy “Doc” and Trina McCoy are at the core of the business and are regular fixtures in the shop along with their beloved “shop” dog, Luna. Accredited with the International Gem Society (IGS) and the Jewelers Board of Trade, McCoy Minerals produces approximately 80 percent of its jewelry in-house, with a section dedicated solely to North Carolina gemstone jewelry. In addition, the shop includes a mineral room displaying fossils and minerals from across the globe.
“We know that some people like rocks and some people love rocks, so we try to keep items that will intrigue different people,” says Trina. “Loose gemstones for the budding jewelry artist, raw crystal jewelry all the way to high-end pieces, amethyst candle holders, and gemstone trees for some colorful office decor, large specimen pieces for that conversation starter, and the fun fossils—we try to have something for everyone.”
Doc, a master lapidarist, has honed his craft over 33 years and in recent years has taken Isaac Turner under his wing as an apprentice. “We try to separate ourselves from others by having a larger selection of minerals and fossils,” explains Trina. “Doc is a geologist, so we take a different approach to the minerals than other gem and rock shops, not just the pretty rocks, but more unusual or rare minerals too. We also try to have a wide range of items at prices that even kids can buy while on vacation.”
With the shop’s open format, customers can watch the lapidarists at work, creating and fixing jewelry as well as gemstone testing and cutting, and ask them questions. Fun, interactive conversations in the shop are a frequent occurrence and highly encouraged.
“Customer service is our biggest priority,” says Trina. “We take time with people, answer any questions they have, and try to make sure they find the perfect item. We really love when kids come in; they have the best questions and if we can help cultivate that curiosity in minerals, fossils or gemstones it’s even better.”
For 21 years, the McCoys have been a staple in Watauga County. Before opening McCoy Minerals in 2020, they had a gem mine business called Doc’s Rocks from 2007 to 2024. They are very appreciative of the community’s strong support of local businesses and as a way to give back, they participate in a number of initiatives, particularly cancer-related due to their family’s firsthand experiences with the disease. Doc and Trina are both active with the Cancer Resource Alliance, and their shop’s Mining for a Purpose fundraiser helps support cancer patients in the community.
Wanna Go?
mccoyminerals.com
537 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
