Limonite
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Formula:
(Fe,O,OH,H2O)
Colour:
Light brown to brown, ...
Lustre:
Earthy
Hardness:
4 - 5½
Name:
Named in 1813 by Johann Friedrich Ludwig Hausmann from the greek λειμωυ for meadow alluding to its common occurrences in bogs.
Currently used for unidentified massive hydroxides and oxides of iron, with no visible crystals, and a yellow-brown streak. 'Limonite' is most commonly the mineral species goethite, but can also consist of varying proportions of lepidocrocite, hisingerite, pitticite, jarosite group species, maghemite, hematite, etc.
Classification of Limonite
Physical Properties of Limonite
Earthy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):
Opaque
Colour:
Light brown to brown, may be yellowish-brown
Streak:
Yellowish brown to red
Hardness (Mohs):
4 - 5½
Comment:
Massive may be very soft.
Density:
2.7 - 4.3 g/cm3 (Measured)
Chemical Properties of Limonite
Formula:
(Fe,O,OH,H2O)
Elements listed in formula:
Crystallography of Limonite
Morphology:
While "limonite" is poorly crystallized, a number of minerals are noted for decomposing to it without losing their crystal shape - particularly pyrite and siderite crystals. Any "crystals" of "limonite" are actually pseudomorphs of other minerals which have decomposed in this fashion.
Occurrences of Limonite
Other Names for Limonite
Name in Other Languages:
Czech:Limonit
Estonian:Limoniit
French:Limonite
German:Limonit
Berggelb
Blauerz
Bohnerz
Brauneisen
Ferrohydrit
Gelbeisenstein
Glanzeisenstein
Hydrosiderit
Hyposiderit
Perlimonit
Raseneisenerz
Raseneisenstein
Rasenerz
Sumpfeisenstein
Sumpfraseneisenerz
Toneisenerz
Toneisenstein
Berggelb
Blauerz
Bohnerz
Brauneisen
Ferrohydrit
Gelbeisenstein
Glanzeisenstein
Hydrosiderit
Hyposiderit
Perlimonit
Raseneisenerz
Raseneisenstein
Rasenerz
Sumpfeisenstein
Sumpfraseneisenerz
Toneisenerz
Toneisenstein
Hebrew:לימוניט
Japanese:褐鉄鉱
Lithuanian:Limonitas
Polish:Limonit
Portuguese:Limonite
Romanian:Limonit
Russian:Лимонит
Slovak:Limonit
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Limonite in petrology
An essential component of (items highlighted in red)
Common component of (items highlighted in red)
References for Limonite
Reference List:
Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Seventh edition, Volume I: 685-686.
Internet Links for Limonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2402.html
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Specimens:
The following Limonite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
Significant localities for Limonite
Showing 2 significant localities out of 12,136 recorded on mindat.org.
This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
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(TL) indicates type locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) indicates first recorded locality for everything else. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
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| U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. |
Christandl quarry, Peunt, Naintschgraben, Anger, Weiz, Styria, Austria