Comparison · Minerals
Goethite vs Hematite
Goethite and Hematite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Goethite and Hematite
- Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Goethite leaves a yellowish brown streak on unglazed porcelain, Hematite leaves red to reddish-brown.
- Luster is different: Goethite is adamantine to dull/earthy, silky while Hematite is metallic.
- Hematite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 5.3 versus 3.3–4.3 for Goethite).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Goethite is Opaque, translucent in thin splinters, Hematite is opaque.
- They overlap in red and black, but Goethite also comes in brown and yellow and Hematite also comes in gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Goethite is Orthorhombic, Hematite is trigonal.
Goethite vs Hematite properties
| Property | Goethite | Hematite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5–5.5 | 6 |
| Luster | Adamantine to dull/earthy, silky | metallic |
| Streak | Yellowish brown | Red to reddish-brown |
| Transparency | Opaque, translucent in thin splinters | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 3.3–4.3 | 5.3 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | trigonal |
| Common colors | Brown, Yellowish brown, Reddish brown, Black | Metallic Gray, Black, Red |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$50+ |
Which is more valuable?
Goethite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $10 for Hematite, and premium Goethite can reach $150 or more.
About Goethite
Goethite is an iron oxide-hydroxide, FeO(OH), and one of the most common iron-bearing minerals, formed by the weathering of other iron minerals such as pyrite, magnetite, and siderite. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system but rarely shows well-formed crystals, instead forming botryoidal, stalactitic, or earthy masses. Named for the German writer and naturalist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, it is a major constituent of the mineral mixture commonly called limonite.
About Hematite
Hematite is the most important iron ore mineral. Its name comes from the Greek word for blood, referring to its red streak.
Goethite vs Hematite FAQ
Is Goethite the same as Hematite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Goethite from Hematite?
Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Goethite leaves a yellowish brown streak on unglazed porcelain, Hematite leaves red to reddish-brown. Luster is different: Goethite is adamantine to dull/earthy, silky while Hematite is metallic.
Which is harder, Goethite or Hematite?
Hematite is harder: Mohs 6 against Mohs 5–5.5 for Goethite.
Which is more valuable, Goethite or Hematite?
Goethite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $10 for Hematite, and premium Goethite can reach $150 or more.
