It may come as a surprise, but South Carolina's soil is actually loaded with treasure - and it's not the kind those pirates buried hundreds of years ago. What's more: you don't have to be a professional geologist or miner to go claim some for yourself. Treasure in the form of rocks and sparkling gems awaits at the only rock ranch open to the public in South Carolina.

The Diamond Hill Mine is located near Abbeville.

With no setup for sluicing or cleaning your finds, this gem mine is really a huge rock ranch with up to six acres full of dump/spoil piles for you to dig at your discretion.

Amateurs and rock hounds alike can stay all day for one (low!) price which allows you to dig until sunset and take home as much as one car or truckload of treasures.

Who knows what you'll discover as you're digging through the dirt! Or, just how beautiful it will be once you get it home and scrub it down with water and a brush?!

Of course, not everyone walks away with a huge amethyst, but it's still fun to try! It's important to note that all of the soil you'll be digging through at Diamond Hill is natural and has not been loaded up with rocks or gems. No... everything you find is a legitimate rock or gem that came in the soil in which you dug it up.

Diamond Hill Mine is open 365 days per year and charges a nominal fee for admission. Prices are $20 for adults 18 and over, $10 for kids 12-17, $5 for kids 7-11, children 6 and under are free, and seniors 65+ are $10. The cost allows you to take home a full carload or truckload of your findings each day. For questions, refer to this page of the Diamond Hill website.

Want to see a dig in process at the Diamond Hill Mine? Check out this video from youtube user The Crystal Collector:

Like what you see and want to get in on the action? Diamond Hill Mine is located at 100 Diamond Mine Rd,, Abbeville, SC 29620. They are open from 9am until sunset each day and even allow you to pitch a tent or park an RV, however, no facilities or running water are available. Sign in for digging needs to take place between 9am and 2pm. If you arrive after 2pm, there is a number posted where you can call to sign in. Contact information is available on this page of their website.

Are you ready? Let's go!