Plural of goethite, a common iron oxyhydroxide mineral that is often reddish-brown and used as an ore of iron.
Named after the German poet and scientist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), who had an interest in mineralogy. The suffix -ite is used in mineral naming. The mineral was identified and named in his honor during the 19th century.
Goethe was so influential in European culture that scientists literally named a mineral after him! Goethite is actually one of the most abundant iron minerals on Earth, and it's responsible for the rusty colors you see in soil and rocks around the world.
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