Comparison · Minerals vs Hydroxide Minerals
Goethite vs Limonite
Goethite and Limonite are easy to confuse. 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 Limonite
- Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Luster is different: Goethite is adamantine to dull/earthy, silky while Limonite is earthy.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Goethite is Opaque, translucent in thin splinters, Limonite is opaque.
- They overlap in brown and yellow, but Goethite also comes in red and black.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Goethite is Orthorhombic, Limonite is amorphous.
Goethite vs Limonite properties
| Property | Goethite | Limonite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Hydroxide Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5–5.5 | 4.5 |
| Luster | Adamantine to dull/earthy, silky | earthy |
| Streak | Yellowish brown | Yellowish brown |
| Transparency | Opaque, translucent in thin splinters | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 3.3–4.3 | 3.6 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | amorphous |
| Common colors | Brown, Yellowish brown, Reddish brown, Black | Yellowish brown, Brown, Dark brown, Ochre yellow |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $3–$120+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Goethite and Limonite trade in a similar range, around $20.
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 Limonite
Limonite is a field name for poorly crystalline, hydrated iron oxide-hydroxide material, mostly fine-grained goethite. It forms brown earthy masses, botryoidal crusts, and pseudomorphs and has long served as an iron ore and pigment.
Goethite vs Limonite FAQ
Is Goethite the same as Limonite?
No. Goethite is a mineral while Limonite is a hydroxide mineral. 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 Limonite?
Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Luster is different: Goethite is adamantine to dull/earthy, silky while Limonite is earthy. Hold a thin edge to the light: Goethite is Opaque, translucent in thin splinters, Limonite is opaque.
Which is harder, Goethite or Limonite?
Goethite is harder: Mohs 5–5.5 against Mohs 4.5 for Limonite.
Which is more valuable, Goethite or Limonite?
Typical specimens of Goethite and Limonite trade in a similar range, around $20.
