GeoPicture of the Week: Turgite [aka unicorn dung]

Originally described from Turjinskii Mine (Turginsk Mine) in Russia, turgite is generally considered a variety of two more common minerals – goethite and hematite. Turgite is a mixture of the two minerals due to the alteration of goethite, typically found in the botryoidal (globular) habit of the “parent” goethite; however, because it is a mixture of two minerals, it is not considered a mineral in itself.

Colloquially, in some circles, it is also referred to as “unicorn dung”… I won’t go into much detail, but I think you can imagine things out.