Goethita Pseudomorfa de Pirita
Goethita is a mineral with formula FeO(OH), in the Óxidos group. This specimen comes from Los Arenales, Ardales, Málaga, Andalucía, España.
Description
Vertical structure formed by sharp, perfectly stacked cubes of goethite pseudomorph after pyrite. Ochre tones and matt texture. Brutalist architecture.
History of this specimen
Personal gift from Diego Navarro, who kept it in his private collection. It had been one of his favourite pieces for its form, balance and visual force. He collected it from a wall-floor area.
About Goethita
This specimen is labeled as goethite because, unlike the generic umbrella term "limonite," it precisely identifies the specific mineral after alteration. For Carratraca pieces, the surface texture dictates the classification: matte, earthy specimens are considered limonitised pyrite, whereas well-defined faces with a satiny luster reveal a goethite pseudomorph after pyrite, an iron mineral formed in humid environments that has completely replaced the original pyrite while perfectly preserving its cubic habit.
About the locality
The Los Arenales deposit is an old Andalusian mining area known for goethite pseudomorphs after pyrite. The best pieces come from the Carratraca area, although it formally belongs to the municipality of Ardales.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0087
- Composition
- FeO(OH)
- Name
- Goethita
- Variety
- Pseudomorfa de Pirita
- Group
- Óxidos
- Category
- Estélites
- Mine
- Los Arenales
- District / Municipality
- Ardales
- Province
- Málaga
- Region
- Andalucía
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 6 x 3 x 2
- Weight
- 43.5 g
- Ex-collection
- Diego Navarro
- Etymology
- Named in 1806 in honour of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, for his interest in the natural sciences.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Al alza
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España