Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2005-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
siderite

Chemical Group:    carbonate

Chemical Formula:    FeCO₃

Color: ash-gray, yellowish gray, greenish gray, brown,
     reddish brown                                                                         

Streak:  white         Transparency:  translucent to sub-translucent

Hardness:  3.5 to 4         Specific Gravity:  3.83 to 3.88                 

Fracture:  uneven to sub-conchoidal

Luster:  vitreous to pearly

Cleavage:   rhombohedral cleavage, 3 directions

Crystal Forms and Habit:  Trigonal system
     Crystal shapes are primarily rhombohedrons.
     Crystal surfaces might be curved similar to dolomite.
     Commonly found in cleavable masses.
     May also occur in botryoidal forms, or compact, or earthy.

Mineral Associations:

Identifying Characteristics:  May resemble some sphalerite, but unlike sphalerite, can be attacked
     by concentrated hydrochloric acid.

Uses:   iron ore

Occurrences:  Roxbury, Connecticut 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- moderate         when inhaled- moderate

Additional Information: