Where is Goethite pseudomorph after Pyrite found?
Fe O(OH) pseudomorph after FeS2
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Open the appGoethite pseudomorph after Pyrite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Goethite pseudomorph after Pyrite
Rio Tinto, Spain
Famous for extensive gossan deposits and well-formed pseudomorphs after pyrite.
Various localities in the United States (e.g., Colorado, Arizona, Missouri)
Common in the oxidized caps of porphyry copper and other sulfide deposits.
Germany (e.g., Siegerland)
Historical mining districts often yield excellent pseudomorphs.
England (e.g., Cornwall)
Known for various mineral specimens, including pseudomorphs from old mining areas.
Collecting tips
- Look in Gossans. Gossans (iron-rich, weathered caps of sulfide ore bodies) are prime locations for finding these pseudomorphs. Look for reddish-brown, porous, and often cellular rock formations.
- Examine Old Mine Dumps. Waste piles from old sulfide mines often contain weathered material where pyrite has altered to goethite pseudomorphs.
- Check Sedimentary Rocks. Some sedimentary rocks, especially shales and sandstones, can contain disseminated pyrite that has subsequently altered to goethite pseudomorphs.
- Identify Pyrite Shapes. The key is to recognize the characteristic cubic, pyritohedral, or octahedral forms of pyrite, even though the material itself is no longer metallic and brassy.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Yellowish-brown to dark brown/black
- Luster:
- Dull, earthy, submetallic
- Streak:
- Yellowish-brown to brownish-yellow
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