I have previously noted my surprise at finding goethite crystals appearing inside of Carver geodes. As these photos show, they are usually seen appearing within geodes having a quartz crystal central cavity, with only one or sometimes two goethite crystals growing out of a purely quartz matrix. The “parachute’ photo shows the goethite crystal growing through the quartz crystal matrix which was apparently covered by a secondary yellow mineralization through which the goethite crystals grew! So, we have three separate crystallizations occurring in apparent succession. The goethite crystal as it grew lifted up part of the yellow mineralization which in the photo looks like a yellow hot air balloon or “parachute”. That is why I conclude that the goethite was the last crystallization to occur. Why goethite, which is an iron family mineral, forms out of an otherwise pure quartz crystallization is indeed curious. I hope you enjoy seeing this oddity.

Rock #5878

Rock #5878 – Enlarged so you can see the crystals more clearly

Rock #6375

Rock #6375 – Enlarged