Bowenite, adopted by the State Legislature in 1966, is a Serpentine mineral, and a close relation of Jade and thusly can be considered a semi-precious stone. It is found in the Northern part of Rhode Island in association with Limestone and is found in different colors; light yellow, canary yellow, light and dark green, gray and blue. As seen in the picture, the green variety looks a lot like Jade and thus why misnamed originally and why it still carries the name "Rhode Island Jade" as of today. It was discovered in the early 1800's by a Rhode Island geologist, George Bowen, and was so named in his honor.
.A variety of Chrysotile Serpentine that is massively shaped and composed of densely packed colorless fibers that is a Serpentine mineral relative of Jade, aka Nephrite. It was first identified as Nephrite 1822, but finally changed a decade later. It has a waxy lustre sometimes translucent appearance and ranges from opaque to translucent and is known also collectively as 'Noble' or 'Precious Serpentine' and many times carried the name "Rhode Island Jade". However, it does not have the same hardness or density as Jadeite or Nephrite. Bowenite can be scratched with a carbon steel knife, but Jade can not. A little bit of mineral oil or oil from your forehead can easily make the scratch invisible again.
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Since there is so much confusion over Bowenite, the State Legislature finally decided to classify it as a mineral, rather than a rock or gemstone when making it an Official Symbol of the State.
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