Hiddenite, North Carolina

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Hiddenite is an unincorporated community in east-central Alexander County, North Carolina. The town of Hiddenite was incorporated in 1913, but its charter was repealed in 1919. Hiddenite was named for William Earl Hidden (1853-1918), a mineralogist sent to North Carolina by Thomas Edison to look for platinum. Hidden discovered the gem that came to be known as "hiddenite" in 1879 in mines nearby. Hiddenite is a variety of spodumene and is the only precious gemstone that cannot be synthesized^{[citation needed]}. Until recently it was found only in Alexander County, North Carolina, but in recent decades it has been subsequently found in Madagascar and Brazil ^[1]. The area around Hiddenite also yields emeralds, sapphires, and many other precious stones.

Prior to the arrival of W.E. Hidden, the community was known as White Plains; this is how the area appears on a map of 1871. Hiddenite was once noted as a health resort because of its sulfur springs.

Hiddenite's altitude is 1,140 feet (347 meters) above sea level. The community is also a poultry producer.