Where is Limonite found?
Iron oxyhydroxide
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Open the appLimonite 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 Limonite
Mesabi Range, Minnesota, USA
Historically a major source of iron ore, including limonite, formed from the weathering of taconite.
Lorraine, France
Significant deposits of oolitic limonite (minette ore) were historically mined here.
Krivoy Rog, Ukraine
Large iron ore deposits, including limonite, formed from the weathering of banded iron formations.
Various bog iron deposits worldwide
Commonly found in wetlands, bogs, and swamps where iron-rich groundwater precipitates iron oxyhydroxides.
Lateritic soils in tropical and subtropical regions
Forms as a residual product of intense chemical weathering of iron-rich bedrock.
Collecting tips
- Look for rusty stains. Limonite often manifests as rusty-brown stains on rocks, soil, and in water bodies, indicating the presence of iron oxidation.
- Check weathered zones. Explore the oxidized caps (gossans) of sulfide ore deposits, where limonite is a common alteration product.
- Investigate wetlands and bogs. Bog iron deposits can be found in marshy areas where iron precipitates from groundwater.
- Examine sedimentary rocks. Limonite can occur as concretions, nodules, or cementing material in sandstones and shales.
- Perform a streak test. The characteristic yellowish-brown streak is a key diagnostic feature for limonite, differentiating it from other dark minerals.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Yellowish-brown to dark brown
- Luster:
- Dull, earthy
- Streak:
- Yellowish-brown
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