Comparison · Minerals vs Sedimentary Rocks
Goethite vs Laterite
Goethite and Laterite are easy to confuse. Goethite is harder (Mohs 5–5.5) than Laterite (Mohs 4), so Goethite will scratch Laterite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Goethite and Laterite
- Goethite is harder (Mohs 5–5.5) than Laterite (Mohs 4), so Goethite will scratch Laterite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Streak color differs: Goethite leaves a yellowish brown streak on unglazed porcelain, Laterite leaves red brown to yellow brown.
- Luster is different: Goethite is adamantine to dull/earthy, silky while Laterite is dull.
- Goethite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.3–4.3 versus 2.7 for Laterite).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Goethite is Opaque, translucent in thin splinters, Laterite is opaque.
- They overlap in brown, yellow, and red, but Goethite also comes in black and Laterite also comes in orange and purple.
Goethite vs Laterite properties
| Property | Goethite | Laterite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Sedimentary Rocks |
| Mohs hardness | 5–5.5 | 4 |
| Luster | Adamantine to dull/earthy, silky | dull |
| Streak | Yellowish brown | Red brown to yellow brown |
| Transparency | Opaque, translucent in thin splinters | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 3.3–4.3 | 2.7 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | varies |
| Common colors | Brown, Yellowish brown, Reddish brown, Black | Red, Orange, Brown, Yellow brown, Purple red |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $1–$75+ |
Which is more valuable?
Goethite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $10 for Laterite, 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 Laterite
Laterite is an iron and aluminum-rich weathering material or rock that often appears red, orange, brown, or earthy.
Goethite vs Laterite FAQ
Is Goethite the same as Laterite?
No. Goethite is a mineral while Laterite is a sedimentary rock. Goethite is harder (Mohs 5–5.5) than Laterite (Mohs 4), so Goethite will scratch Laterite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
How can you tell Goethite from Laterite?
Goethite is harder (Mohs 5–5.5) than Laterite (Mohs 4), so Goethite will scratch Laterite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Streak color differs: Goethite leaves a yellowish brown streak on unglazed porcelain, Laterite leaves red brown to yellow brown. Luster is different: Goethite is adamantine to dull/earthy, silky while Laterite is dull.
Which is harder, Goethite or Laterite?
Goethite is harder: Mohs 5–5.5 against Mohs 4 for Laterite.
Which is more valuable, Goethite or Laterite?
Goethite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $10 for Laterite, and premium Goethite can reach $150 or more.
