Reviews
2.7" Vibrant Iridescent Goethite Stalactite Formation - Spain
This attractive specimen exhibits bright pink-magenta and blue-green iridescence over the majority of the goethite's surface. This stalactite formation presents in exceptionally bubbly botryoidal formations. It was collected from the Filón Sur open pit in Andalusia, Spain.
It has been mounted to an acrylic display base.
It has been mounted to an acrylic display base.
About Iridescent Goethite
Iridescent goethite is a visually captivating variety of the iron hydroxide mineral goethite (FeO(OH)), known for its shimmering surface that displays a rainbow-like array of colors. This iridescence is not due to pigmentation but rather an optical effect caused by interference and diffraction of light on extremely thin surface layers or microstructures. In many cases, this effect arises from the presence of nanoscale lamellae or surface films—often iron oxide or hydroxide layers—that reflect and scatter light in varying wavelengths.
The most vivid iridescent goethite specimens often show brilliant purples, blues, greens, and golds across their surfaces, giving them a metallic, almost oil-slick appearance. This phenomenon is most commonly observed in specimens from regions like Graves Mountain in Georgia, USA, and some deposits in Mexico and Morocco. These specimens are highly prized by collectors for both their rarity and their dramatic, naturally occurring play of color that resembles the sheen of peacock feathers or soap bubbles.
Iridescent goethite is a visually captivating variety of the iron hydroxide mineral goethite (FeO(OH)), known for its shimmering surface that displays a rainbow-like array of colors. This iridescence is not due to pigmentation but rather an optical effect caused by interference and diffraction of light on extremely thin surface layers or microstructures. In many cases, this effect arises from the presence of nanoscale lamellae or surface films—often iron oxide or hydroxide layers—that reflect and scatter light in varying wavelengths.
The most vivid iridescent goethite specimens often show brilliant purples, blues, greens, and golds across their surfaces, giving them a metallic, almost oil-slick appearance. This phenomenon is most commonly observed in specimens from regions like Graves Mountain in Georgia, USA, and some deposits in Mexico and Morocco. These specimens are highly prized by collectors for both their rarity and their dramatic, naturally occurring play of color that resembles the sheen of peacock feathers or soap bubbles.
$165
SPECIES
Goethite
LOCATION
Filón Sur Open Pit, Tharsis Mines, Tharsis, Alosno, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
SIZE
2.7 x 2"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#319178
