Needle-like and very small (micro) in size. It has a multi-colored tarnish which causes some specimens to be dark brown at the base, tapering off to a golden color at the end. Many of the aggregates appear as miniature "pincushions" which are generally dark brown. When many tufts occur together, they take on a velvety appearance which is quite beautiful. Another attractive aggregate occurrence are the goethite "bowties" which can frequently be found. Goethite is always found associated with quartz and calcite, and can be found as inclusions in quartz, which occurred during the final stages of crystal development.
Habit:
fibrous, acicular microcrystals, singly or in fan-shaped or bow tie aggregates
Cinque Quarry, East Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA