Best spot

Jamestown Bridge: Staurolite Rockhounding in Newport County, Rhode Island

Updated July 2026

The metamorphic rocks near the Jamestown bridge landing on Conanicut Island carry staurolite, the cross-shaped iron-aluminum silicate prized by collectors, along with serpentine tied to the same belt that produces the state's bowenite. Conanicut Island offers miles of public rocky shore where these minerals weather out of the ledges. It is the best Newport County locality for seeing genuine metamorphic minerals in Rhode Island. Reported finds include staurolite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Jamestown Bridge photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

The Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge crossing Narragansett Bay to Conanicut Island, Rhode Island, where staurolite and serpentine weather from the shore ledges.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Newport County
State: Rhode Island
Nearest road: Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge
Postcode: 02835
Coordinates: 41.52629, -71.39150

Geology at Jamestown Bridge

This spot sits on ground mapped as Narragansett Bay Group - Rhode Island Formation that formed roughly 325 to 300 million years ago. Hard resistant minerals typically weather out of the bedrock and concentrate in nearby soils and creek gravels.

Mapped unit: Narragansett Bay Group - Rhode Island Formation
Age: 325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)
Elevation: 30 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Jamestown Bridge

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, NEWPORT ROSE station (3 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Jamestown Bridge

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Staurolite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Jamestown Bridge.

Across the state line from Jamestown Bridge

Jamestown Bridge is close enough to the Rhode Island border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Jamestown Bridge FAQ

Where is Jamestown Bridge?+

Jamestown Bridge is in Newport County, Rhode Island, at 41.52629, -71.39150. Nearest road: Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Jamestown Bridge?+

Jamestown Bridge is reported to produce Staurolite.

Is collecting allowed at Jamestown Bridge?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Jamestown Bridge?+

A rock hammer, a sieve, and a small shovel work well for garnet-type minerals, which concentrate as resistant grains in soils and creek gravels.

When is the best time to visit Jamestown Bridge?+

The most comfortable months at Jamestown Bridge are March to November.

How do I get to Jamestown Bridge?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.52629, -71.39150 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge.

More rockhounding in Rhode Island

See all 17 Rhode Island spots →

Open Jamestown Bridge on the map

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