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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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.
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.
