1. North Star Gems

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    Bristol, NH

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    North Star Gems

    5.0 (6 reviews)

    North Star Gems Photos

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Love this store! Joanne is so nice and helpful and has become a great friend over the years!

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    Gemstar Gemstone - More outdoors

    Gemstar Gemstone

    4.2(15 reviews)
    19.3 mi
    $$

    Fun Sunday afternoon jaunt. Well worth the drive from Sunapee area for any rock hound…read more Interesting samples of quartz, amethyst, jade and geodes (bought a galena geode from Morocco). My wife thought their beads were nice and the selection vast. Large outdoor selection too. It is well marked and you can park on the road.

    Holy rock heaven. There's where I was transported to for about 2 hours this weekend and what a…read morewonderful experience it was. I had head about the place from a friend who is into crystals, gems, and minerals as the Mecca for such things and had to check it out for myself. And it truly is an experience of its own. First of parking is on the street and the shop begins right as you enter the driveway. I immediately caught sight of what I thought was stacked firewood but was in fact log sized chunks of selenite! To the left were huge slabs of amethyst and stones cut in half to be bookends. Among the other things in the 'rock garden' tables of various stones, split open and exposed to the elements. (Don't be surprised if something found its home under a rock you might fancy!) further back outside looks like a workstation with even more 'book ends' and slabs of polished stone. Heading up into the store there is a porch area with plastic and cardboard boxes of crystals and stones. Inside, are more fine and delicate beading and jeweling stones. Some are loose, some are drilled with holes already, and some are strung together on thread. You can walk around here for hours, take multiple loops and still not see everything. (I must have taken three of four loops before finally telling myself it was time to stop). Prices are reasonable - and a lot are done out by weight. I managed to get out spending under $50 since I purchase mostly natural rocks and smaller items (small bookends, selenite, labradorite, sage, African glass, Quartz, and a lucky geode). I will definitely be going back!

    Photos
    Gemstar Gemstone - Entrance area

    Entrance area

    Gemstar Gemstone - Outdoor area

    Outdoor area

    Gemstar Gemstone - Wood logs? Think again. Selenite.

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    Wood logs? Think again. Selenite.

    Hidden Springs Maple - Outside of the store front

    Hidden Springs Maple

    4.9(56 reviews)
    60.3 mi
    $$

    Great staff, fantastic maple products. Brunette girl behind the counter is a total gem. Thank you!read more

    There are places that make you feel as though you've stepped into another era, and Hidden Springs…read moreMaple is one of them. Tucked away about an hour north of Hadley, Massachusetts, the drive alone is worth making. On this visit, the sun was shining, the temperature never climbed above 80 degrees, and the winding country roads were perfect with the sunroof open. By the time I arrived, it already felt like I'd left the rush of everyday life behind. I've always been fascinated by how real maple syrup is made. The kind that comes from the sap of maple trees rather than the artificially flavored syrups so many of us grew up with. While I didn't get to see the sugaring process itself, Hidden Springs Maple serves as the retail home for the family operation. Inside, the rustic barn-style shop is wonderfully nostalgic, with weathered wood, shelves lined with glass bottles and jars, and the unmistakable feeling of an old-fashioned country store. It feels less like a gift shop and more like a place where New England traditions have been carefully preserved. The young man behind the counter patiently entertained every one of my tourist-style questions, answering each with genuine enthusiasm and an obvious pride in the craft. Before making a purchase, I was invited to sample three grades of syrup--Amber Rich, Dark, and Very Dark (Robust)--a thoughtful touch that lets visitors appreciate how the flavors deepen from one variety to the next. Amber Rich was my favorite, and I happily left with a jug, along with maple cream, locally produced honey, smoked maple syrup, and a gift box of regional jams. Now comes the only real challenge: figuring out how to pack the maple jug and those glass jars for the trip home without breaking a single one. It's a small price to pay for bringing home a taste of a place that feels wonderfully timeless.

    Photos
    Hidden Springs Maple - Maple creamee

    Maple creamee

    Hidden Springs Maple - Back of the store.

    Back of the store.

    Hidden Springs Maple - Once you see this house, you've made it to Hidden Springs.

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    Once you see this house, you've made it to Hidden Springs.

    North Star Gems - gemstonesandminerals - Updated September 2026

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