Bowenite (a variety of Antigorite)
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

  
Bowenite was named by James D. Dana in 1850 for George T. Bowen, who first analyzed the mineral from Rhode Island in 1822.

Discovered about 1822; IMA status: Not Valid (variety name)

Chemistry

Chemical Formula:

Mg₃(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄  

Magnesium Silicate Hydroxide

More Information

Pleonaste is a variety of Antigorite.
For more information please see the Antigorite information page.
 

Synonyms:

Nephrite (of Bowen), Tangawaite, Tangiwai, Tangiwaite

Type Locality:

Dexter Quarry (Dexter Lime Quarry), Lime Rock, Lincoln, Providence Co., Rhode Island, USA

Year Discovered:

1822

View mineral photos:

Bowenite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org (Williamsite)
Mindat.org  (Antigorite)
Webmineral.com  (Antigorite)

Bowenite is a rare member of the Serpentine group of minerals that includes Antigorite and Lizardite. Bowenite is a variety of the mineral Antigorite but is much more transparent and has a Moh's hardness of 4.0 - 6.0 compared to Antigorite's 2.5 - 3.5 hardness. Bowenite can be found in shades of pale yellowish green to green but can also be found as pale (almost colorless) to dark bluish green. Some Bowenite gems can have a beautiful, pearly luster.

Bowenite was originally named by James D. Dana in 1850 after George T. Bowen who first analyzed material from Rhode Island in 1822 (although he misidentified the material as being related to nephrite jade). In 1853 George J. Brush and J. L. Smith of Yale University found the mineral to be identical with Serpentine.  Bowenite was declared the state mineral of Rhode Island in 1966.

The main source of Bownite is the Soochow region of China but is also found in Afghanistan and in the USA at Eustis, Maine; Stoneham, Massachusettes; New Rochelle, New York; Dexter Quarry (the Type Locality), Lincoln, Rhode Island; and Newfane, Vermont.
 

  
Bowenite gems for sale: