Limonite is just a mineral, and not just a stone due to the fact that it is not an ordinary "cobblestone" in itself. This is the collective name for the mineral formations of goethite, hydrogetite and lepidocrocite. This mineral is interesting for its properties, deposit, structure and history.
Origin
Limonite also has such a name as “brown iron ore”. This mineral is formed in the bowels of the earth in places of accumulation of iron ore outlets, where iron is actively oxidized.
Its reserves are inexhaustible, they are formed every 10-15 years in the earth's crust. In those places where there is a constant moistening of terrestrial rocks, the genesis of limonite minerals occurs.
The name itself comes from the Greek "estuary", which translates as "shallow space". Or leamon, which means meadow, swamp. Already on the basis of the Greek translation of this term, we can conclude about the occurrence of the mineral limonite.
It begins its origin in very humid places, under which iron ores are hidden in the bowels of the earth.
Chemical characteristics
Despite the fact that limonite does not have a constant formula, there is a chemical parameter characterizing the basic composition of this mineral. And it looks like this: (Fe 2 O 3 ) + (H 2 O). Where Fe 2 O 3 is iron oxide and H2O is water.
In percentage terms, these substances have different values depending on the mineral deposit. This is some uncertainty in the formula. At the same time, scientists call approximate proportions: about 89-86% of iron oxide and 10-14% of water.
In addition to the basic chemical composition, sometimes in limonite there are impurities of hydrated aluminum and manganese compounds, and they are also often found in sand and clay suspensions. This is also due to its place of formation in marshy and clayey places.
In acid HCl, the mineral dissolves - one of the most striking chemical properties of "brown iron".
Physical parameters
The physical properties of the mineral limonite are the color, luster, hardness, and transparency of the stone.
The color of brown iron ore has various colors: from rust to yellow. Most often mixed several colors of brown, brown and yellow shades. Sometimes they are darker or, conversely, light. A distinctive feature of limonite is brown streaks.
Shine of the mineral can be matte, metallic, resin. It is not transparent.
The hardness is variable, depending on the percentage of water in the mineral. The numbers vary from 1.5 to 5.5. A variation of limonite as a powder form is yellow ocher, which has a soft texture. Also widespread is such a form as sintered with a smooth and shiny surface.
Limonite deposits
This mineral is distributed around the world. Its deposits are found in Russia, Egypt, Spain, African countries and others.
However, the most numerous accumulations of brown iron ore are found in regions of Russia. The deposits of this mineral are mainly located in the western part of the Eurasian continent, in the vastness of Siberia.
The largest limonite deposit in Russia is Bakcharskoye. It is located near the city of Tomsk. There is a lot of brown iron ore in the Urals, in the Tula and Lipetsk regions, in the Crimea, Tatarstan, Karelia and Bashkortostan.
Areas of large limonite deposits in Russia:
- Kursk region.
- Transbaikal region.
- Chelyabinsk region.
- Chita region.
- Krasnoyarsk region.
- Orenburg region.
The use of limonite
The practice of using brown iron ore is divided into two types:
- Mining of iron.
- Use in the form of paint.
After purification of limonite from various impurities and its enrichment, iron is obtained. It is used mainly in ferrous metallurgy. With its help, cast iron and steel are smelted in blast furnaces. However, in the presence of more convenient iron ores, limonite is not used because of the difficulty in separating phosphorus from it. To get pure iron without phosphorus, you have to perform laborious manipulations, costly in financial and temporary sense.
In addition to ferrous metallurgy, limonite is used in jewelry. The mineral is specially cleaned, given various forms and combined with silver. Jewelry with limonite is appreciated. Bracelets, rings, earrings and medallions with this stone look noble.
Interior items are made from it: various figurines, vases, fireplaces and much more.
Yellow ocher limonite is used as a pigment for paints. This is a very rich and beautiful color.
This mineral is appreciated by jewelers, collectors, geologists and researchers from around the world.
The unusual properties of limonite
Minerals that are created by nature, originate in the bowels of the earth. Therefore, they are often credited with some properties that affect the mental, physical and emotional state of a person.
It is believed that limonite has healing properties: it lowers blood pressure, normalizes the heartbeat and improves blood circulation, which generally affects the physical condition of the body.
Limonite also has a calming effect on the nervous system, helps to get out of depression. Moreover, for his action, it is important that he is constantly next to the person.
Thus, brown iron ore is a fairly common mineral, which is useful not only for ferrous metallurgy, but also has a beneficial effect on the human body.