Botryoidal limonite, goethite. golden nodules. - Height: 116 mm - Width: 90 mm- 302 g - (1)

Weight: 302 g. Dimensions: 116x90x24 mm. Origin: Hubei Province, China.
Beautiful brown-red botryoidal limonite, with golden nodules and rust reflections. To get a better view of this limonite, some photos are taken with LED light, others in natural light with sun and without.
Limonite is not a single mineral, but a natural mixture of iron oxides and hydroxides. It appears as brown, yellow, or ochre masses. It is often found in soils or marshy areas under the historical name bog iron. Goethite is a very common mineral composed of iron oxyhydroxide and forms by alteration of iron-rich rocks, and constitutes the main component of natural rust.
Limonite is actually a generic term for a group of hydrated iron oxides, often amorphous. It is recognized by its swollen nodules and golden reflections. The mineral has red-brown hues, which is typical of limonite, with these well-formed nodules and more marked rust reflections.
Limonite, in fact, is a grouping of hydrated iron oxides, somewhat amorphous, so it does not have a well-defined crystalline structure. It often forms by alteration of iron-rich minerals, such as magnetite or pyrite. It is often found in soils, wetlands, or as a secondary ore in iron deposits. It is sometimes used as a pigment as well, for its ochre tones. So we frequently find the two minerals associated.