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While Rhode Island is a gorgeous state, it doesn’t have a massive treasure chest of rocks and minerals for rockhounds. However, the rocks and minerals that you can find in this state are still worth your time and effort, as we will explain in this guide.
When you explore the Ocean State, look out for these rocks and minerals:
- agate,
- jasper,
- serpentine,
- amethyst,
- carnelian,
- bowenite,
- garnet,
- and quartz.
It’s true that Rhode Island is a small state, but there’s still a lot of land to comb through for these rocks and minerals. Save some time and learn exactly what to look for and where to find it in the Ocean State.
If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
What Rocks Are Found in Rhode Island
There are a few collectible rocks that you can gather from Rhode Island, such as:
Agate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mount Hope Bay | 41.673042, -71.238375 |
| Cumberland Hill | 41.976910, -71.475754 |
| Providence | 41.825556, -71.387196 |
| Pawtuxet | 41.760814, -71.386429 |
In the Ocean State, you can collect some colorful and beautiful agates. The most common colors of Rhode Island agates are red and green, but there might be other colors out there to find.
Mount Hope Bay and the areas in Providence are your best shot for finding Rhode Island agates.
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Pawtuxet | 41.760814, -71.386429 |
| Providence | 41.825556, -71.387196 |
| Bristol | 41.664946, -71.258377 |
| Cumberland Hill | 41.970656, -71.462880 |
While it’s rare to find large jaspers in Rhode Island, there are areas where you can collect handfuls of jasper pebbles, which look amazing once polished. Additionally, jasper is typically found with other collectible minerals in this state, so you’ll be able to bring home many different types of treasures.
For jasper pebbles, look near Bristol, Cumberland Hill, and surrounding areas in Providence.
Recommendation box: All tools and equipment you need for rockhounding and rock identification* (Amazon links):
1. Estwing Rock Hammer – Light, comfortable, and extremely durable hammer.
2. Estwing Geologist Pick – Classic and the most trusted paleo pick in the world.
3. Finder 12-inch Chisels – Heavy-duty chisels set with hand protection.
4. Mini Handle Shovel – This is a great tool for digging deep in the dirt.
5 Ironclad Utility Work Gloves – Breathable, but they also protect the areas requiring them most.
6. 3M Safety Glasses – Comfortable and efficient goggles for rockhounding.
7. Convoy 8+ UV Light – 365nm UV LED flashlight with a patented glass filter.
8. Wesley’s Jewelers Loupe – High magnification options (30X and 60X) with carrying case.
9. Mohs Hardness Kit – A specially designed kit for rockhounds
*All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website.
Serpentine
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| North Providence | 41.848321, -71.391659 |
| Moosup River | 41.755727, -71.754032 |
| Bennet Hill | 41.775345, -71.743723 |
Who would have known that you could collect high-quality serpentine in Rhode Island? While the supply is limited and it’s only found in a few select areas, some of the serpentine from this state is stunning and used for lapidary work.
North Providence, Moosup River, and Bennet Hill are the three areas that have serpentine, and Moosup River has the best quality.
TIP: Geology and geography are very closely related sciences as they both study the same object – the planet Earth (although there is also planetary geology and geography). Find out more in the article below:
Major Similarities & Differences Between Geology & Geography
What Minerals Are Found in Rhode Island
Fortunately, Rhode Island does have more than a couple minerals for rockhounds, such as:
Amethyst
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Diamond Hill | 41.994330, -71.433887 |
| Johnston | 41.803827, -71.520929 |
| Mount Hope Bay | 41.673042, -71.238375 |
| Pawtuxet | 41.760814, -71.386429 |
One of the minerals that rockhounds seek out in Rhode Island is amethyst. A popular site to collect this mineral is Quartz Diamond Hill. Even though the site is popular, there are still plenty of colorful, large amethyst crystals for rockhounds to bring home.
Mount Hope Bay, Pawtuxet, and Diamond Hill have some lovely amethyst crystals that are worth collecting.
Carnelian
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mount Hope Bay | 41.673042, -71.238375 |
| Warwick | 41.689094, -71.424011 |
| Pawtuxet | 41.760814, -71.386429 |
Carnelian stones are on the rarer side in Rhode Island, so you’re much more likely to find pebbles of this mineral. However, these small pebbles are still stunning and display their vivid colors once polished.
Mount Hope Bay, Warwick, and Pawtuxet are the places to go for Rhode Island carnelians.
Bowenite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lincoln | 41.902490, -71.441151 |
| Providence | 41.848321, -71.391659 |
Despite its small size, Rhode Island does have an official state mineral: bowenite. Bowenite is closely related to jade and is lime-green in color. It’s a semi-precious gemstone that was first discovered in Rhode Island during the 1800s.
Lincoln and Providence are the two areas in the state where you can find quality bowenite for your collection.
TIP: In Rhode Island, the state owns the minerals beneath the ground, including gold. However, the right to prospect those minerals is a different story. Find out more in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in Rhode Island: 5 Best Locations & Laws
Garnet
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Sneech Pond | 41.982160, -71.454692 |
| Moosup River | 41.755727, -71.754032 |
| Bennet Hill | 41.775345, -71.743723 |
Both red and purple almandine garnets have been discovered in the schists of Rhode Island. There are other colors that can be found, but red and purple are the most common.
To collect Rhode Island garnets, visit Sneech Pond and Moosup River, which is near Bennet Hill.
Quartz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Cumberland Hill | 41.978824, -71.450520 |
| Providence | 41.791776, -71.390286 |
| Tiverton | 41.604857, -71.208008 |
| Johnston | 41.806386, -71.531915 |
| Narraganset | 41.388486, -71.479131 |
Quart crystals reside in multiple areas of Rhode Island, and it’s one of the most abundant collectible minerals in the state. Rutilated and sagenitic quartz crystals have been found in Tiverton and Providence.
Quartz is plentiful in Rhode Island, so it’s best to be on the lookout for it no matter where you go in the state. If you are searching for quartz specifically, visit Cumberland Hill or Providence.
TIP: There are numerous fake quartz crystals you can come across in the market, even if quartz is the most widespread mineral. Check out differences between real and fake quartz in the article below:
Real vs. Fake Quartz: Focus on These 12 Key Differences
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in Rhode Island
Rhode Island does have some more rocks and minerals for rockhounds to collect, as explained below:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in Rhode Island
In the Ocean State, the rare rocks you can collect are agates, jaspers, and serpentines. Even though this list isn’t long, you can still find quality specimens of these three stones that are worthy of your collection.
It is important to note that many of these rocks come in a smaller size, and they generally appear as pebbles, so you might need to search more thoroughly than usual for them.
If you can only visit one place in Rhode Island, go to Providence. Providence is the best rockhounding site in the state for both rocks and minerals.
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in Rhode Island
Fortunately, there are some colorful, shiny, and rare minerals that exist in Rhode Island, such as garnets, bowenites, carnelians, amethysts, staurolites, epidote, labradorite, and beryl.
Garnets, bowenites, carnelians, and amethysts are the most common minerals from this list, while the remaining four are extremely rare. While most of these minerals are small crystals, you can find sizable amethysts in certain regions of the state.
Providence, Moosup River, and Mount Hope Bay are three areas that have many of these rare minerals. If you are searching for a specific mineral, take a look at the detailed locations above.
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s state mineral, bowenite, has claimed the title of the most famous mineral found in Rhode Island.
While it’s not discovered in large quantities, the stones from this state have a bright, lime-green color that’s sure to stand out in any collection. Additionally, it is a semi-precious stone, so it does hold some value.
Lincoln and Providence are the two areas of Rhode Island that contain bowenite. This doesn’t mean that the mineral only exists in these two areas, but it hasn’t been found anywhere else in the state yet.
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
Conclusion
It’s true that Rhode Island does not have as much to offer rockhounds as Arizona or other major rockhounding states, but it still has some colorful and collectible treasures that would make any rockhound proud to own.
Before you cross Rhode Island off your rockhounding itinerary, give this state a chance. You may be surprised by how much you can find!
TIP: If you find yourself in Rhode Island and wish to do some rockhounding, rest assured. Although Rhode Island is small, and the variety of things that you can collect is scarce, there are still a couple of things worthwhile.
GUIDE: Rockhounding in Rhode Island & What Rocks to Find