<P> A lodestone is a naturally magnetized piece of the mineral magnetite . They are naturally occurring magnets , which can attract iron . The property of magnetism was first discovered in antiquity through lodestones . Pieces of lodestone , suspended so they could turn , were the first magnetic compasses , and their importance to early navigation is indicated by the name lodestone , which in Middle English means ' course stone ' or ' leading stone ' , from the now - obsolete meaning of lode as ' journey , way ' . </P>
<P> A lodestone is a naturally magnetized piece of the mineral magnetite . They are naturally occurring magnets , which can attract iron . The property of magnetism was first discovered in antiquity through lodestones . Pieces of lodestone , suspended so they could turn , were the first magnetic compasses , and their importance to early navigation is indicated by the name lodestone , which in Middle English means ' course stone ' or ' leading stone ' , from the now - obsolete meaning of lode as ' journey , way ' . </P>
what kind of magnet is a piece of lodestone
what kind of magnet is a piece of lodestone
magnetite
magnetite