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lodestone
(redirected from lodestones)

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lodestone: see magnetite magnetite , lustrous black, magnetic mineral, Fe3O4. It occurs in crystals of the cubic system, in masses, and as a loose sand. It is one of the important ores of iron (magnetic iron ore) and is a common constituent of igneous and metamorphic
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magnetite

 or lodestone or magnetic iron ore

Iron oxide mineral (Fe3O4), the chief member of one of the series of the spinel group. Minerals in this series form black to brownish, metallic, moderately hard octahedrons and masses in igneous and metamorphic rocks and in granite pegmatites, stony meteorites, and high-temperature sulfide veins. Magnetite, as the name implies, is strongly attracted to a magnet. It is a common constituent of iron ores. Magnetite with an intrinsic magnetic field (a natural magnet) is known as lodestone.


lodestone, loadstone
a. a rock that consists of pure or nearly pure magnetite and thus is naturally magnetic
b. a piece of such rock, which can be used as a magnet and which was formerly used as a primitive compass

lodestone [′lōd‚stōn]
(mineralogy)
The naturally occurring magnetic iron oxide, or magnetite, possessing polarity, and attracting iron objects to itself. Also known as Hercules stone; leading stone; loadstone.


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Within time, someone made a vital discovery: the lodestones could be used to show actual directions.
An early application of magnetism The Chinese used lodestones as early as the 4th century AD in a divination ritual called "Geomancy.
 
 
 
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