Image: Unknown author<span style="display: none;">Unknown author</span> (Public domain)
trigonalcommonCarbonates
Siderite
FeCO₃
This specimen displays a mass of brownish-orange to yellowish-brown siderite crystals, likely rhombohedral, forming a granular or botryoidal aggregate.
Siderite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
3.5Crystal System
trigonalLuster
vitreousStreak Color
white to yellowish-brownCleavage
perfect rhombohedral {1011}Fracture
unevenSpecific Gravity
3.96Colors
yellowish-brown, brown, gray, greenish-brown, whiteTransparency
translucentType Locality
White Raven Mine, Boulder County, ColoradoMineral Group
CarbonatesUses
iron ore, collectorAssociated Minerals
quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite, fluorite, bariteRarity
commonGeological Context
Siderite commonly forms in sedimentary environments, often as bog iron ores, and is also found in hydrothermal veins and some metamorphic rocks, typically under anoxic conditions.
