Limonite
Limonite
Limonite gets its name from the Greek words for “marshy lake” because it is found in marshes. Limonite is a mineraloid that contains varied amounts of goethite and hematite, forming from weathering of hematite, magnetite, and pyrite. It is often found as a pseudomorph as it replaces other minerals.
General Information
Limonite Colors
-
Black -
Brown -
Yellow
Alternate Names
bog iron, brown iron, brown hematite and brown ocher
Countries of Origin
Russian Federation; United States of America; Ukraine; India; Cuba; Unknown; Luxembourg; Congo (the Democratic Republic of the); Brazil; Italy; Australia; France; Germany
History
Limonite has been used as pigment since the Neolithic. It is still used today for yellow and brown pigments. There is evidence that Limonite has been mined for iron production since 2500 BCE and it used to be called “bog iron”. It is considered too impure for modern iron commercial mining.
Care
Limonite can be very soft. Please take care when handling. Soluble in hydrochloric acid.