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Goethite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Craig Bosel
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About GoethiteHide

07985970014946367094737.jpg
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Formula:
α-Fe3+O(OH)
Colour:
Brownish black, yellow-brown, reddish brown
Lustre:
Adamantine, Silky, Metallic, Dull
Hardness:
5 - 5½
Specific Gravity:
4.27 - 4.29
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1806 by Johann Georg Lenz in honor of the German poet, novelist, playwright, philosopher, politician, and geoscientist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [August 28, 1749, Frankfurt, Germany – March 22, 1832, Weimar, Germany]. Goethe was Chief Minister of State of Weimar. (Portions of the Goethe mineral collection are reputedly held by the Goethe Society in New York, New York, USA.)
The most common simple iron oxide mineral. A weathering product of numerous iron-bearing minerals.

Goethite may crystallize from a precursor - a not approved species called 'proto-goethite'. May also form due to mineralization of lichen (Parmelia conspersa) thalli on metamorphics (e.g., gneisses), granites, feldspars.

Sulfidation of goethite into mackinawite and pyrrhotite is described by Wang et al. (2015); the process is inactive in the CH4 atmosphere but is triggered by the addition of CO2.






Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1719
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1719:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
d2a21d9b-4364-4b0d-b6a6-01010429fa6c

IMA Classification of GoethiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
FeO(OH)

Classification of GoethiteHide

4.00.

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
0 :
0 :
6.1.1.2

6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
1 : XO(OH)
7.20.5

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
20 : Oxides of Fe

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference
GthIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
GtKretz (1983)Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279.
GtSiivolam & Schmid (2007)Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download
GthWhitney & Evans (2010)Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371
GtThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download
GthWarr (2020)Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30

Pronunciation of GoethiteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of GoethiteHide

Adamantine, Silky, Metallic, Dull
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Brownish black, yellow-brown, reddish brown
Streak:
Yellowish brown, orange-yellow, ocher-yellow
Hardness:
5 - 5½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=667 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{010}; {100} less perfect.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.27 - 4.29 g/cm3 (Measured)    4.18 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of GoethiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.260 - 2.275 nβ = 2.393 - 2.409 nγ = 2.393 - 2.409
2V:
Calculated: 20°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.133 - 0.134
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Anisotropism:
Distinct; in bluish grays
Dispersion:
relatively strong r>v
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Y = c; Z = a.
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1R2
400nm17.5%19.2%
420nm16.7%18.3%
440nm15.9%17.4%
460nm15.2%16.7%
480nm14.6%16.0%
500nm14.1%15.5%
520nm13.7%15.0%
540nm13.3%14.6%
560nm13.0%14.3%
580nm12.8%14.0%
600nm12.5%13.7%
620nm12.4%13.5%
640nm12.2%13.4%
660nm12.0%13.2%
680nm12.0%13.1%
700nm11.9%13.0%

Reflectance graph
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 19.2%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Gray with bluish tint
Internal Reflections:
Yellow, red, brown
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = red b/yellow b = clear yellow
Y = red a/yellow c = brown-yellow
Z = red c/yellow a = orange-yellow
Comments:
Absorption: Z > Y > X.

Chemistry of GoethiteHide

Mindat Formula:
α-Fe3+O(OH)
Common Impurities:
Mn

Crystallography of GoethiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.608 Å, b = 9.956 Å, c = 3.0215 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.463 : 1 : 0.303
Unit Cell V:
138.62 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic [001] and striated [001]; also flattened into tablets or scales on {010}. Velvety aggregates of capillary crystals to acicular [001] and long prismatic forms often radially grouped. Massive, reniform, botryoidal, stalactitic. Bladed or columnar. Compact or fibrous concretionary nodules. Oolitic.
Twinning:
Apparently none reported, but see https://www.mindat.org/mesg-631125.html and compare twinning in isostructural diaspore.
Comment:
Space Group: P bnm

Crystallographic forms of GoethiteHide

Crystal Atlas:
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Goethite no.4 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Goethite no.29 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0002226GoethiteGualtieri A, Venturelli P (1999) In situ study of the goethite-hematite phase transformation by real time synchrotron powder diffraction American Mineralogist 84 895-90419990298
0002227GoethiteGualtieri A, Venturelli P (1999) In situ study of the goethite-hematite phase transformation by real time synchrotron powder diffraction American Mineralogist 84 895-90419990429
0003165GoethiteNagai T, Kagi H, Yamanaka T (2003) Variation of hydrogen bonded O...O distances in goethite at high pressure American Mineralogist 88 1423-142720030293
0003166GoethiteNagai T, Kagi H, Yamanaka T (2003) Variation of hydrogen bonded O...O distances in goethite at high pressure American Mineralogist 88 1423-142720030.5293
0003167GoethiteNagai T, Kagi H, Yamanaka T (2003) Variation of hydrogen bonded O...O distances in goethite at high pressure American Mineralogist 88 1423-142720032.8293
0003168GoethiteNagai T, Kagi H, Yamanaka T (2003) Variation of hydrogen bonded O...O distances in goethite at high pressure American Mineralogist 88 1423-142720036.3293
0003169GoethiteNagai T, Kagi H, Yamanaka T (2003) Variation of hydrogen bonded O...O distances in goethite at high pressure American Mineralogist 88 1423-142720039293
0004538GoethiteAlvarez M, Sileo E E, Rueda E H (2008) Structure and reactivity of synthetic Co-substituted goethites American Mineralogist 93 584-5902008synthetic0293
0004539GoethiteAlvarez M, Sileo E E, Rueda E H (2008) Structure and reactivity of synthetic Co-substituted goethites American Mineralogist 93 584-5902008synthetic0293
0004540GoethiteAlvarez M, Sileo E E, Rueda E H (2008) Structure and reactivity of synthetic Co-substituted goethites American Mineralogist 93 584-5902008synthetic0293
0004541GoethiteAlvarez M, Sileo E E, Rueda E H (2008) Structure and reactivity of synthetic Co-substituted goethites American Mineralogist 93 584-5902008synthetic0293
0004542GoethiteAlvarez M, Sileo E E, Rueda E H (2008) Structure and reactivity of synthetic Co-substituted goethites American Mineralogist 93 584-5902008synthetic0293
0010471GoethiteYang H, Lu R, Downs R T, Costin G (2006) Goethite, alpha-FeO(OH), from single-crystal data Acta Crystallographica E62 i250-i2522006Park County, Colorado, USA0293
0010571GoethiteHoppe W (1940) Uber die kristallstruktur von alpha-AlOOH (diaspore) und alpha-Fe OOH(nadeleisenerz) Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 103 73-891940Synthetic0293
0017983GoethiteGoldsztaub M (1935) Etude de quelques derives de l'oxyde ferrique (Fe O * O H, Fe O2 Na, Fe O Cl) determination de leurs structures. _cod_database_code 1011087 Bulletin de la Societe Francaise de Mineralogie 58 6-7619350293
0016643GoethiteHazemann J, Berar J, Manceau A (1991) Rietveld studies of the aluminium-iron substitution in synthetic goethite _cod_database_code 1008766 Materials Science Forum 79 821-82619910293
0016644GoethiteHazemann J, Berar J, Manceau A (1991) Rietveld studies of the aluminium-iron substitution in synthetic goethite _cod_database_code 1008767 Materials Science Forum 79 821-82619910293
0016645GoethiteHazemann J, Berar J, Manceau A (1991) Rietveld studies of the aluminium-iron substitution in synthetic goethite _cod_database_code 1008768 Materials Science Forum 79 821-82619910293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
4.98 Å(12)
4.183 Å(100)
2.693 Å(35)
2.450 Å(50)
2.253 Å(14)
2.190 Å(18)
1.7192 Å(20)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Geological Setting:
Common weathering product, primary hydrothermal mineral, bog and marine environments.

Type Occurrence of GoethiteHide

Reference:
Lenz, J.G. (1806) Göthit. In: Tabellen über das gesammte Mineralreich. Göpferdts, Jena, 46-46.

Synonyms of GoethiteHide

Other Language Names for GoethiteHide

Varieties of GoethiteHide

AlumogoethiteAluminian Goethite
EhrenwerthiteA name for goethite pseudomorphs after Pyrite
SammetblendeA fuzzy variety of goethite with a velvety luster created by carpets of microscopic acicular crystals forming crusts or balls. The name is derived from the German word for "velvet" and is often used for this variety in Germany and Bohemia. A more modern s...
SammtblendeA fuzzy variety of goethite with a velvety luster created by carpets of microscopic acicular crystals forming crusts or balls. The name is derived from the German word for "velvet" and is often used for this variety in Germany and Bohemia. A more modern s...
SamtblendeA fuzzy variety of goethite with a velvety luster created by carpets of microscopic acicular crystals forming crusts or balls. The name is derived from the German word for "velvet" and is often used for this variety in Germany and Bohemia.
Wood Iron(1)Fibrous varieties of goethite.

See also Wood Iron (2): fibrous siderite

Relationship of Goethite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of this group:
BracewelliteCrO(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
DiasporeAlO(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
GroutiteMn3+O(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
TsumgalliteGaO(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1,688 photos of Goethite associated with QuartzSiO2
1,047 photos of Goethite associated with CalciteCaCO3
690 photos of Goethite associated with HematiteFe2O3
529 photos of Goethite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
388 photos of Goethite associated with BaryteBaSO4
339 photos of Goethite associated with Limonite
284 photos of Goethite associated with PyriteFeS2
245 photos of Goethite associated with FluoriteCaF2
243 photos of Goethite associated with Smoky QuartzSiO2
217 photos of Goethite associated with VanadinitePb5(VO4)3Cl

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.00.Microlite GroupA2-mTa2X6-wZ-nIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m
4.00.Ferrotaaffeite-6N'3S(Be,Zn,Mg)FeAl4O8Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
4.00.Pyrochlore GroupA2Nb2(O,OH)6Z
4.00.Písekite-(Y)(Y,As,Ca,Fe,U)(Nb,Ti,Ta)O4
4.00.UM2004-19-O:AlCeGdZr(Gd,Ce)4Al2Zr4O17
4.00.UM2004-21-O:CaFeGdZrCa2Gd4Fe5ZrO15
4.00.UM2004-27-O:GdTiGd2Ti4O11
4.00.Mapiquiroite(Sr,Pb)(U,Y)Fe2(Ti,Fe3+,Cr3+)18O38Trig. 3 : R3
4.00.AlmeidaitePbZn2(Mn,Y)(Ti,Fe3+)18O37(OH,O)Trig. 3 : R3
4.00.VapnikiteCa2CaUO6Mon. 2/m

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Heated in a closed tube, gives off water.
Notes:
Soluble in HCl.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Iron ore

Goethite in petrologyHide

Internet Links for GoethiteHide

References for GoethiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for GoethiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListShow

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