Bowenite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bowenite is a hard, compact variety of antigorite serpentine found in Rhode Island, and several other places throughout the world. It is typically light-green in color and resembles jade, however it is softer and scratches easily. Although mostly light-green, there are various colour, including almost clear of colour.
It was named for G.T. Bowen, who analyzed it in 1822.
Rhode Island adopted bowenite as its state mineral in 1966.
In New Zealand it the Māori considered bowenite a form of pounaumu along with nephrite jade, and used it for tools, weapons and ornaments.
It is also found near Steinkopf in South Africa, but low demand and low world prices have made it uneconomical to mine.
[edit] Uses
Bowenite's thin crystalline structure has tempted nano technologists and microchip researchers to review its suitability for applications within these new technology industries.
[edit] References
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