Limonite cubes are a classic example of a mineral pseudomorph, where limonite has replaced an original pyrite crystal while retaining its distinct cubic habit. These specimens feel much lighter than the pyrite they replaced and display a characteristic yellow-brown to earthy brown streak. They are highly sought after by collectors for their sharp geometric shapes and their fascinating geological history of chemical alteration.
Is this limonite cubes?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch limonite cubes with a known reference. Limonite Cubes sits at Mohs 4-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Limonite Cubes leaves a yellow-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Limonite Cubes typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, yellow-brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: pseudocubic.
Often confused with
Limonite Cubes vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Limonite Cubes leaves yellow-brown, Pyrite leaves greenish-black to brownish-black; luster reads submetallic on Limonite Cubes and metallic on Pyrite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Limonite Cubes leaves yellow-brown, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Limonite Cubes and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside limonite cubes
Minerals reported to co-occur with limonite cubes. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeO(OH)·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5.5
- Density
- 2.7-4.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow-brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudocubic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Iron Deposits
- Typical price
- $5-50 thumbnail, $30-200 cabinet
Where rockhounds find limonite cubes
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Utah, USA
- Missouri, USA
- Germany
- Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary iron deposits country, the host setting where limonite cubes typically forms. If you start seeing goethite, quartz, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudocubic habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in North Carolina, South Carolina. Start trip planning there.
More limonite cubes photos
Common questions
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Find limonite cubes on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
