North Providence: Bowenite & Quartz Rockhounding in Providence County, Rhode Island

Public accessBest spot3 mineralsProvidence County, Rhode IslandUpdated July 2026

Minerals reported: 3
Elevation: 230 ft
Best months: March to November

The serpentine belt running through northern Rhode Island is the home of bowenite, the state mineral, a hard translucent green serpentine close enough to jade to be cut as a gemstone. It was first described here in the early 1800s by George Bowen, and the North Providence and Lincoln limestone country remains the classic ground for it. No other state claims bowenite, which makes this belt the defining mineral destination in Rhode Island. Reported finds include bowenite, quartz, serpentine. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Providence County
State: Rhode Island
Nearest road: Valley Stream Drive
Postcode: 02864
Coordinates: 41.93263, -71.42154

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Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Access note: The bowenite localities lie along a belt of former lime quarries in northern Rhode Island, most of which are on private or industrial land. Collecting requires the landowner's permission, and the historic Conklin and Harris quarry sites should not be entered without it. Loose serpentine float can occasionally be found in area gravels and road cuts on public right-of-way.

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.

Best time to visit North Providence

38°J

40°F

48°M

60°A

70°M

79°J

84°J

83°A

76°S

64°O

54°N

43°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WOONSOCKET station (6 mi away).

Geology at North Providence

This spot sits on Blackstone Group - epidote and biotite schist, mapped as mica schist and quartzite that formed roughly 1000 to 540 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this typically carries quartz veins and sweats, and weathered crystals tend to end up in the soils and streams below.

Mapped unit: Blackstone Group - epidote and biotite schist
Age: 1000–540 Ma (Neoproterozoic)
Rock types: mica schist and quartzite
Elevation: 230 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.

Today's weather

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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.

Rhode Island Geological Survey
Rhode Island DEM park rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at North Providence

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

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of North Providence.

Across the state line from North Providence

North Providence 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.

MiddlesboroughPlymouth County, Massachusetts · 28 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony
Bolton Lime QuarryWorcester County, Massachusetts · 36 mi awayScapolite
UnionNortheastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 37 mi awayFeldspar, Moonstone, Cordierite
CohassetNorfolk County, Massachusetts · 39 mi awayJasper, Epidote
SterlingWorcester County, Massachusetts · 39 mi awayChalcopyrite, Siderite
MaldenMiddlesex County, Massachusetts · 39 mi awayNovaculite

North Providence FAQ

Where is North Providence?+

North Providence is in Providence County, Rhode Island, at 41.93263, -71.42154. Nearest road: Valley Stream Drive.

What rocks and minerals can you find at North Providence?+

North Providence is reported to produce Bowenite, Quartz, Serpentine.

Is collecting allowed at North Providence?+

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 North Providence?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit North Providence?+

The most comfortable months at North Providence are March to November.

How do I get to North Providence?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.93263, -71.42154 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Valley Stream Drive.

More rockhounding in Rhode Island

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