Goethite is a mineral that contains iron, and is prized as an iron ore. Being composed of the ferrite form of iron, plus oxygen and hydrogen β chemical formula: Ξ±-FeO(OH) β Goethite is one of the components in common rust. But when it solidifies under heat and pressure within the earth to form a hard rock, it can be really beautiful!
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~photo from seller's store on eBay~
I immediately fell in love with those pretty orange bands that arc around the piece and was fascinated by the geometry. It is a freeform sample and very unique, as I have never seen another sample since that is similar.
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This mineral specimen is only black, brown, and orange/gold. All of the whitish and bluish streaks are reflections of light. I tried to minimize these when I photographed the piece, but I am not a professional photographer, so I could not eliminate them all. There are so many little twists-and-turns in the surface of the rock, and it is polished in places, so it was quite a challenge.
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If I understand the pronunciation rules for German correctly, "oe" is sounded as "er" β therefore, it should be pronounced: GER' Ω thΔ«te β because it is named after the famous Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. This mineral has been used as a source of pigment for making brown ochre. I like collecting mineral specimens, in general. However, admittedly, it was the pretty arcs of butterscotch-colored orange/gold that convinced me I had to have this piece! LOL
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SOURCES
1 Encyclopedia Britanica: Goethite
2 Wikipedia: Goethite
Zoisite β’ Rutilated Quartz β’ Garnet
Amazonite Sphere β’ Lapis Lazuli Mala β’ Amethyst Point
How Rocks Get Their Color β’ Red Jasper β’ Ring, Ring! Amethyst Calling!
Lapis Lazuli β’ Turitella Agate
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